Junge A, Wellmann K, Zech A. Prevalence of symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder in field hockey players of German first and lower leagues.
Scand J Med Sci Sports 2023;
33:1866-1873. [PMID:
37309991 DOI:
10.1111/sms.14426]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
While several studies on mental health of elite athletes were published in recent years, few compared the prevalence with the general population and none included field hockey players.
AIMS
To analyze the prevalence of symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder in field hockey players of different skill levels and to compare it to the general population.
METHODS
Male and female hockey players from different leagues were asked to answer questions on player characteristics, the Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).
RESULTS
One hundred and eighty-seven players (incl. 54 first and 28 second league players) participated in the study (response rate 97.4%). More than a third (n = 64; 35.0%) reported to be affected by an injury/health complaint, but 157 (86.3%) were able to train and play without limitations. The CES-D score indicated depression symptoms in more female (n = 15; 18.3%) than male (n = 5; 4.8%) players (χ2=8.8; p < 0.01). No male and one female player had symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Players who played 60 or more matches in the previous 12 months had on average significantly higher depression (t = 2.3; p < 0.05) and generalized anxiety scores (t = 4.2; p < 0.001) than players who played fewer matches. The prevalence of depression and of generalized anxiety symptoms was similar to or lower than in the general population. Although 20 (10.7%) players had depression symptoms, only 4 (2.2%) received psychological counseling or psychotherapy.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended to provide routine screening of mental health problems and low-threshold access to adequate treatment for elite athletes.
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