Injury History and Mental Health Indicators in Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: The relationship between mental health and sports injuries has become increasingly important in youth soccer, due to developmental changes in this population, the high demands of training, and the competitive pressures of sport. This cross-sectional study examined the association between injury history (no injuries, 1-2, >2 injuries), mental health indicators (anxiety, stress, depression), and differences by sex, competitive category, and playing position. Materials and Methods: 146 soccer players (79 males, 67 females; ages 12-30; mean age = 16.65, SD = 2.34 years) from youth and senior categories of a professional club in Spain completed the STAI-T (trait anxiety), DASS-21 (state anxiety, stress, depression), sociodemographic and sports-related variables (gender, sports category, playing position), and self-reported injury history: no injuries (n = 39), 1-2 injuries (n = 80), >2 injuries (n = 27). The statistical analyses performed were one-way ANOVA (ηp²), χ² tests, and Games-Howell post hoc tests. Results: 73.3% of the players reported ≥1 injury (54.8% 1-2 injuries; 18.5% >2), with no differences by gender, position, or category (χ² range: p > 0.05). The ANOVA revealed significant differences for trait anxiety (F(2, 143) = 3.68, p = 0.029, ηp² = 0.049; small-to-moderate), and state anxiety (F(2, 143) = 4.63, p = 0.014, ηp² = 0.061; moderate). No effects were found for stress/depression (p > 0.12). The post hoc test (Games-Howell) indicates that the group with no injuries showed significantly lower trait anxiety (p = 0.038, d = 0.33) vs. 1-2 injuries, and state anxiety (p = 0.012, d = 0.70) vs. >2 injuries. Stress and depression showed a non-significant upward trend. Conclusions: A greater history of injuries is associated with higher levels of anxiety in youth soccer players. The findings suggest routine assessment of anxiety and training in emotional self-regulation for injury prevention and rehabilitation. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the bidirectional relationship.