Provider-recipient perspectives on how social support and social identities influence adaptation to psychological stress in sport

Transitioning out of elite sport: The central role of groups in support experiences

In the present study, we explored the perceived impact of changes in athletes' social group memberships on their identities and social support experienced during transition to retirement. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, we explored how athletes interpreted their experiences and connected them to their personal and social environments. Participants were seven (5 male, 2 female) former elite athletes, aged 26 and 40 years (Mage = 34 ± 4.96 years). They represented badminton, basketball, football/soccer, and rugby, having transitioned from their sport careers 9 months to 11 years prior to data collection (M = 5.25 ± 3.85 years). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, and analysis included reflexivity and an independent audit trail. We identified four main themes: (a) support received from maintaining existing social groups, (b) support opportunities gained by joining new social groups, (c) the support lost through identity changes in retirement, and finally, (d) the support offered by adopting a retired athlete identity. The results highlight the importance of approaching athlete identity and retirement from a social identity perspective. Our results also suggest that social groups and subsequent social identities may influence psychosocial outcomes through group-based social support, while arguing that the effectiveness of social support depends on the compatibility of these identities with an athlete's existing or gained identities. Finally, we offer applied considerations for athletes and sport organizations, suggesting that retired athletes benefit from mentoring and engaging in organizations supporting transitioned athletes to build meaningful connections during this transition.

Sports atmosphere and psychological resilience in college students: mediating role of growth mindset

Introduction

The mental health of college students has garnered increasing attention currently, and psychological resilience is recognized as a crucial factor in coping with pressure and challenges. However, the influencing factors of psychological resilience require further exploration. This study aims to investigate the relationship between sports atmosphere and psychological resilience among college students, as well as the mediating role of a growth mindset.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 315 college students using the Outdoor Sports Atmosphere Scale, Growth Mindset Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale.

Results

The findings revealed significant positive correlations between sports atmosphere, growth mindset, and psychological resilience. Regression analysis showed that a positive sports atmosphere significantly predicted both psychological resilience (β = 0.371, t = 8.648, p < 0.01) and growth mindset (β = 0.462, t = 10.227, p < 0.01). Structural equation modeling further confirmed that growth mindset played a significant mediating role in the relationship between sports atmosphere and psychological resilience [β = 0.182, 95% CI (0.036, 0.189), p < 0.05].

Discussion

These results highlight the importance of a supportive sports atmosphere in fostering psychological resilience among college students, with growth mindset acting as a key intermediary factor. By cultivating a growth mindset, students may better translate the benefits of an encouraging sports atmosphere into improved psychological resilience and adaptability. These insights provide actionable strategies for educators and policymakers to design interventions that promote psychological wellbeing.

Cross-lagged analysis of social support, physical activity behavior, and family relationships among university students

Objective

To explore the causal relationship between social support, physical activity behavior, and family relationships among university students.

Methods

Using the Social Support Rating Scale, the Physical Activity Behavior Self-Assessment Scale, and the Family Relationships Scale, a longitudinal follow-up survey was conducted on 412 college students in Sichuan Province at 2-month intervals in March 2024 (T1) and May 2024 (T2), to analyze the interaction mechanisms between college students' social support, physical activity behaviors, and family relationships through cross-lagging.

Results

(1) There are significant gender differences in social support, physical activity behavior, and family relationships among college students. Among the cross-lagged paths found, except for the path from T1 social support to T2 family relationships (β: 0.40 > 0.21), all other cross-lagged paths are smaller for female college students compared to male college students; (2) T1 social support was able to positively predict T2 physical activity behaviors (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), and T1 physical activity behavior can also positively predict T2 social support (β = 0.18, p < 0.01), but the path value T1 social support → T2 physical activity behavior is larger than T1 physical activity behavior → T2 social support. Therefore, social support is a causal variable for physical activity behavior; (3) T1 social support positively predicts T2 family relationships (β = 0.26, p < 0.001); (4) T1 family relationships positively predict T2 physical activity behavior (β = 0.30, p < 0.001). (5) Physical activity behavior is a mediating variable between family relationships and social support, with a mediating effect size of 0.054.

Conclusion

There are gender differences in social support, physical activity behavior, and family relationships among college students; there is a longitudinal causal relationship between social support, physical activity behavior, and family relationships; social support is a causal variable of physical activity behavior, and social support is also a causal variable of family relationships, and family relationships are the Social support is a causal variable for physical activity behavior, social support is also a causal variable for family relations, and family relations are a causal variable for physical activity behavior, which has a partially mediating role in family relations and social support.

The association between family adaptability and adolescent depression: the chain mediating role of social support and self-efficacy

Objective

Previous research has shown a correlation between family adaptability and adolescent depression. However, there is a lack of studies that have investigated the underlying mechanism between family adaptability and adolescent depression. Based on the Ecological Systems Theory, this study aims to investigate the link between family adaptability and depression in adolescents, mediated by the sequential roles of social support and self-efficacy.

Methods

The sample consisted of 1086 students randomly selected from seven public middle schools in Shandong Province, Eastern China. All the participants filled in the structured self-report questionnaires on family adaptability, social support, self-efficacy, and depression. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS 24.0.

Results

The findings of this study are as follows: (1) Family adaptability is negatively associated with adolescent depression; (2) Social support plays a mediating role between family adaptability and adolescent depression; (3) Self-efficacy plays a mediating role between family adaptability and adolescent depression; (4) Social support and self-efficacy play a chain mediation role between family adaptability and adolescent depression.

Conclusion

It is suggested that early interventions and support should be provided to facilitate adolescents' family adaptability, social support, and self-efficacy, thus reducing their depression and improving mental health of adolescents.

Only my group will do: Evidence that social support protects athletes from burnout when they identify with those who provide it

Perceived availability of social support can reduce symptoms of burnout in athletes. As such, it is important to understand the circumstances under which perceived social support is most effective. Social influences such as strength of social identification with a particular group or identity are believed to play an important role in the provision and effectiveness of social support. Across two studies, we investigate whether social identification in a sport can strengthen the protective association between perceived social support and burnout. In Study 1, athletes completed questionnaires assessing perceptions of social support availability, social identification, and burnout. In Study 2, participants completed the same measures at systematic time points across a six-month timespan. In both studies, participants' levels of social identification moderated the association between perceived social support and burnout, whereby there was a stronger negative relationship between social support and burnout when participants reported higher levels of social identification in their sport. These results indicate that social identity may play an integral role in improving the efficacy of social support on burnout.