Sport-Related Experience and Depression Among Current and Former Athletes

Background and Purpose. Over 20% of the U.S. population engaged in daily sport and exercise in 2021 (Statistica, 2023). Although participation in sport can increase well-being for some (Waters et al., 2022), moving into more competitive and higher-level sport environments poses an increased risk for susceptibility to depression (Hammond et al., 2013). It is not unusual for mental health challenges to be overlooked in sports due to misconceptions or stigma relating to the perception that athletes are generally strong and healthy people (Brenner, 2021). Athletes are often subjected to the ideology of competition culture which emphasizes “toughing it out” through any physical or mental distress (UHCL, 2021). This culture is deeply rooted in individuals and organizations and may contribute to why less than half of student athletes report feeling comfortable seeking help from a mental health provider (NCAA, 2022). The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of sport-related experience (i,e. external pressure, relationship with primary coach, sport-related identity, jock-related identity, and athlete-related identity) and depressive symptoms among current and former athletes.

Method. This cross-sectional survey study analyzed the data gathered from the Athletic Involvement Study. The original sample consisted of 795 students recruited from a college in northeastern area of U.S. The present study was based on a subsample of 693 former athletes ages 18 or older with males (n=390) and females (n=303). Independent variables included sport-related experience factors of: experience with primary coach, external pressure on sports, sports-related identity, athlete-related identity, and jock-related identity measured by Likert scales in the anonymous self-report survey. The dependent variable was depressive symptoms measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Three multiple linear regression analyses tested the significance of the hypotheses of the study including a comparison between male and female experiences. Age, gender, and fathers’ highest level of education were included as covariates in the first regression analysis, but gender was not included in the separate gender-stratified analyses of male and female samples.

Results. In the analyses of both male and female athletes combined, stronger positive relationship with the primary coach and increased athlete-identity were associated with decreased depressive symptoms. For the male only analysis, higher athlete-identity decreased risk for depressive symptoms. For the female only analysis, increased positive relationship with primary coach and increased athlete-identity were associated with decreased depressive symptoms. External pressure, jock-related identity, and sport-related identity did not elicit statistical significance with depressive symptoms.

Conclusion. The findings of this study help to distinguish different components of the athletic experience and variances between male and female associations specifically regarding experiences with primary coaches and levels of athlete-identity. Additionally, this study strengthens previous research and reinforces the need to further explore this relationship for the purpose of increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and appropriately intervening in clinical practice for mental health challenges among the athletic community. Providers should consider implementing resources and practices that strengthen primary coach-athlete relationships and athlete-related identity to reduce the likelihood of athletes experiencing high rates of depressive symptoms.