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Psychological balance in high level athletes: gender-based differences and sport-specific patterns
Karine Schaal1, Muriel Tafflet, Hala Nassif
1Institut de Recherche Bio-Médicale et Epidémiologique du Sport, Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance, Paris, France. karine.schaal@insep.fr
Plos One
|May 17, 2011
Summary
Elite athletes experience psychological issues, with women facing higher rates of anxiety and eating disorders. Prevalence varies by sport, indicating specific sport-related factors may influence mental health.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health
Background:
- Limited epidemiological research exists on the psychological health of elite athletes.
- Understanding psychological problems in athletes is crucial for targeted support and interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify prevalent psychological issues among French elite athletes.
- To examine how psychological problem prevalence varies by athlete sex and sport type.
Main Methods:
- Nationwide data from yearly psychological evaluations of athletes were analyzed.
- Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to identify trends and significant differences.
Main Results:
- 17% of elite athletes reported at least one recent or ongoing psychological disorder.
- Generalized anxiety disorder (6%) and non-specific eating disorders (4.2%) were most common.
- Women exhibited higher psychopathology rates (20.2%) than men (15.1%), particularly in anxiety, eating disorders, depression, sleep issues, and self-harm.
Conclusions:
- Significant sex-based differences in psychopathology exist within the elite athlete population.
- Prevalence rates are comparable to the general population, but sport-specific variations suggest unique risk factors.
- Aesthetic sports showed higher generalized anxiety disorder rates, while racing and combat sports were associated with eating disorders in women and men, respectively.
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