Antecedents and consequences of burnout in athletes: Perceived stress and depression

Mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

There is increasing recognition of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health symptoms and disorders among adult elite athletes, with less research involving elite youth athletes. This scoping review aimed to characterise the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes who travel internationally and compete for their sport.

METHOD

Four databases were searched in March 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with elite youth athlete populations (mean age 12-17 years) reporting mental health and well-being outcomes. Data from included studies were charted by outcome, and risk/protective factors identified.

RESULTS

Searches retrieved 3088 records, of which 33 studies met inclusion criteria, encapsulating data from 5826 athletes (2538 males, 3288 females). The most frequently studied issue was disordered eating (k=16), followed by anxiety (k=7), depression (k=5) and mixed anxiety/depression (k=2). Caseness estimates (a symptom level where mental health treatment is typically indicated) for disordered eating were wide ranging (0%-14% for males; 11%-41% for females), whereas only two studies estimated caseness for depression (7% in a mixed-sex sample; 14% for males, 40% for females) and one for anxiety (8% for males, 28% for females). Common risk factors for mental ill-health included sex, athlete status (compared with non-athletes) and social/relationship factors (with coaches/parents/peers). Contradictory evidence was observed for elite/competition level, which was associated with higher and lower rates of disordered eating.

CONCLUSION

Further representative research into the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes is needed to enhance understanding and guide prevention and intervention measures.

Factors contributing to elite athletes' mental health in the junior-to-senior transition: A mixed methods study

The goals of this study were to examine factors that may affect the mental health of elite athletes during their junior-to-senior transition and to explore the types and frequency of facilitators and challenges athletes encounter during this transition. Using a cross-sectional, embedded QUAN(qual) mixed methods study design, we surveyed two samples for the study goals. All participants completed demographic data (e.g., gender, age, sports). Sample one (N = 394, Mage = 18.46 years, SD = 2.2) consisted of current transitioning athletes which completed questionnaires on stress, anxiety, depression, well-being, self-compassion, and social support. Mediation and moderation analyses revealed that stress leads to resource depletion, and that self-compassion can be an important resource for young athletes to draw upon to maintain their mental health. Regarding social support results were less conclusive. Sample two (N = 371, Mage = 27.70 years, SD = 8.3) consisted of athletes that have passed the transition. They responded to open questions about helpful strategies and challenges faced during their junior-to-senior transition, which were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results showed that during the junior-to-senior transition, external resources were more frequently mentioned than internal resources when it came to facilitators. Furthermore, external challenges were perceived as hindering more frequently than internal challenges. These findings can guide practitioners by providing potential starting points for improving the mental health of transitioning elite athletes, as well as information on helpful strategies and barriers during the transition.

Mental health in athletes: Does authentic leadership matter?

Recent research has attested to the prevalence of mental health issues in sport, and the need to identify factors that could promote athletes' mental health. In this study, we investigated: (a) whether authentic leadership is associated with athletes' mental health directly and indirectly via psychological capital and prosocial and antisocial behaviour experienced from one's teammates; and (b) whether the hypothesized model testing these relationships is the same in higher versus lower competitive level athletes. We examined two dimensions of mental health, namely positive mental health and mental illness. A total of 751 athletes (Mage = 22.92, SD = 8.53; 294 female) from a range of sports completed a multi-section questionnaire administered via an online survey. Path analysis showed that authentic leadership was positively related to positive mental health via psychological capital and prosocial behaviour and negatively linked to mental illness via psychological capital and antisocial behaviour. The effects of authentic leadership on positive mental health via prosocial teammate behaviour and subsequently psychological capital, and on mental illness via prosocial teammate behaviour, were stronger in higher compared to lower competitive level athletes. The findings suggest that by adopting an authentic leadership style coaches could strengthen athletes' positive mental health and protect them from mental illness. This may happen by increasing athletes' psychological capital and prosocial behaviour within the team and decreasing antisocial behaviour within the team.

The mediating effect of hope agency on perceived stress and professional burnout among Polish corporate employees

Job burnout is considered an outcome of prolonged exposure of employees to stress. Although many studies have focused on the presence of a direct association between stress and burnout, we still know very little about mediators that indirectly play a role in this relationship. Previous analyses have determined that self-efficacy acts as a mechanism that explains the overall relationship between stress and burnout. However, there is no such evidence to support the mediatory function of hope. Therefore, the main aim of the current study was to verify whether self-efficacy, hope pathways, and hope agency are mediators in this relationship. The study included 408 Polish-speaking adults who completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Dispositional Hope Scale. The outcomes indicated a positive correlation of stress with the overall burnout score, as well as all subscales. Moreover, hope agency was a mediator, thus suggesting that there is also an indirect relationship between stress and job burnout. Therefore, it can be assumed that higher stress is associated with lower motivation to generate and sustain the actions needed to reach the goals. Consequently, lower hope agency may lead stressed employees to greater exhaustion and reduced personal accomplishment.

Advancing athletic assessment by integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge biomedical technologies for comprehensive performance, wellness, and longevity insights

In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions. Metabolomics especially focusing on low-molecular weight metabolites, reveal metabolic pathways and responses to exercise. Biochemical tests assess key biomarkers related to energy metabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Essential elements depict the micronutrient status of the individual, which is critical for optimal performance. Echocardiography provides detailed monitoring of cardiac structure and function, while burnout testing evaluates psychological stress, fatigue, and readiness for optimal performance. By integrating this scientific testing battery, a multidimensional understanding of athlete health status can be achieved, leading to personalized interventions in training, nutrition, supplementation, injury prevention, and mental wellness support. This scientifically rigorous approach hereby presented holds significant potential for improving athletic performance and longevity through evidence-based, individualized interventions, contributing to advances in the field of sports performance optimization.

Anxiety, Depression, Perceived Stress, and Burnout Among Chinese Researchers: A Cross-Sectional Nationwide Study

Purpose

Depression and anxiety have a significant impact on an individuals' work and personal life alike. The mental health of researchers is a significant concern worldwide. This study investigated the mental health status of Chinese researchers specifically and explored the moderating effects of perceived stress on the influence of low self-accomplishment on anxiety and depression.

Methods

The online survey platform "Survey Star" was used to create a questionnaire to be distributed to researchers, with 949 questionnaires retrieved. The general information questionnaire, 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS) were used for this investigation. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlations among the relevant variables. Model 8 of PROCESS 3.3 program was used to analyze the moderating effects of perceived stress.

Results

Among the 949 participants, 570 (60.1%) reported symptoms of depression and 431 (45.4%) had symptoms of anxiety, with about one in six reporting symptoms of self-harm or suicidal ideation. Perceived stress was found to moderate the effect of low self-accomplishment on depression and anxiety.

Conclusion

Here we show that researchers exhibit a high rate of depression and anxiety symptoms. Perceived stress is also shown to play a moderating role on the influence of low self-accomplishment on anxiety and depression. Thus, reducing perceived stress levels can help to improve the mental health of researchers.

Association of parent, coach, and peer motivational climate with high school athlete burnout and engagement: Comparing mediation and moderation models

The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the direct association of parent-, coach-, and peer-initiated motivational climate with high school athlete burnout and engagement and (2) evaluate whether peer-initiated motivational climate mediates or moderates the association of coach-initiated motivational climate with burnout and engagement. Athletes (n = 150) completed a survey on their perceptions of parent-, coach-, and peer-initiated motivational climate, burnout, and engagement. Findings supported the mediation model, but not the moderation model. In addition to mastery and performance climate direct effects, significant medium-to-large indirect pathways from coach mastery climate → peer mastery climate → burnout, β = -.15, 95% CI [-.333, -.009], and coach mastery climate → peer mastery climate → engagement, β = .19, 95% CI [.020, .293] were observed. Findings support that a parent, coach, and peer-initiated mastery motivational climate was associated with burnout and engagement while a performance climate was mostly unrelated to these indices of athlete well-being. In addition to direct associations with burnout and engagement, coaches also had an indirect association through peer mastery-initiated motivational climate. Findings advance understanding of how parents, coaches, and peers conjointly shape athlete burnout and engagement.

The Influences of Sports Psychological Capital to University Baseball Athletes' Life Stress and Athlete Burnout

Previous studies suggested that athletes' psychological capital level is related to life stress and burnout. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the influences of university baseball athletes' psychological capital on their life stress and burnout and provide practical suggestions for athletes and coaches to reduce their life stress and burnout. In this study, we used athletes' control variables (grade, year of training experience, and training days per week) and psychological capital (self-efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) to predict their life stress and burnout. A total of 428 division I baseball athletes from 16 teams of the national college baseball sports league in Taiwan participated in this survey, with a return rate of 89.2%. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the relationships among the above-mentioned variables. The results showed that the athletes demographics such as grade (β = 0.03, p > 0.05) and years of baseball training experience (β = 0.00, p > 0.05) had no significant influences on athlete burnout, while the days of baseball training per week (β = 0.32, p < 0.05) had a positive influence on athlete burnout. As for psychological capital, self-efficacy (β = -0.09, p < 0.05), hope (β = -0.27, p < 0.05), and optimism (β = -0.20, p < 0.05) had negative influences on life stress, while resilience (β = -0.07, p > 0.05) had no significant influences on life stress. Hope (β = -0.20, p < 0.05) had negative influences on athlete burnout, while self-efficacy (β = -0.00, p > 0.05), optimism (β = -0.06, p > 0.05), and resilience (β = -0.01, p > 0.05) had no significant influences on athlete burnout. Life stress (β = 0.52, p < 0.05) had significant influences on the burnout. Based on our research findings, suggestions were made to reduce the athletes' life stress and athlete burnout.

Mindfulness and burnout among Chinese college students: mediation through sleep quality and perceived stress

College students often face challenges and obstacles which leads them vulnerable to burnout. Though numerous studies have supported an association between mindfulness and burnout, yet little is known about the potential mediating role of mindfulness exerts its effect in this link. This study aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness and burnout among Chinese college students and investigated the sleep quality and perceived stress as two potential mediators of that relationship. A total of 536 college students (mean age = 21.93, 66.2% female) were investigated and completed the Five Facet of Mindfulness Questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Perceived Stress Scale and Academic Burnout Scale of College Students. Path analyses were employed to examine the mediating effect. Results indicated that mindfulness had significant negative correlation with burnout (r=-.584, p < 0.001). Sleep quality and perceived stress were significant mediators of the observed relationship between mindfulness and burnout. These findings shed light upon the mediating role of sleep quality and perceived stress, and suggest that college students' mindfulness may facilitate their sleep quality and decrease perceived stress, which, in turn, may help prevent and reduce burnout.

Resilience and Enhancement in Sport, Exercise, & Training (RESET): A brief self-compassion intervention with NCAA student-athletes

Athletes often believe that self-criticism is necessary to avoid complacency, but this attitude can lead to anxiety and stress. Research shows that self-compassion is an adaptive way to relate to mistakes and challenges. Although there are many benefits of self-compassion, fear that self-compassion harms performance may discourage athletes from adopting this approach. This study developed and tested an online self-compassion intervention for athletes called RESET (Resilience and Enhancement in Sport, Exercise, & Training), adapted from the Mindful Self-Compassion program. Between-group analyses (multilevel modeling; MLM) and within-group analyses (paired t-tests) were used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention on athletes' ability to respond compassionately to failure, improve well-being, and increase perceived sport performance. Compared to the waitlist control (n = 102, 71% women), the intervention group (n = 148, 90% women) experienced greater increases in self-compassion, decreases in self-criticism and fear of self-compassion, and greater improvements in perceived performance. In general, the intervention was more effective for those who had the most room for growth. Within-group analyses supported the MLM findings while also showing that athletes who participated in the RESET program experienced reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Program evaluation measures, including participant testimonials, extend the quantitative findings and demonstrate that RESET was engaging, well-liked, and effective.

Data showing that post-traumatic stress symptoms and defense mechanisms change based on perceived stress levels: A multivariate analysis of variance approach during the COVID-19 pandemic

The present research article provides data about the differences in post-traumatic stress symptoms, and defense mechanisms based on the levels of perceived stress (low, average, high), using a large national sample of 1100 Italian individuals, collected during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed an online survey through the Google Form platform, where the Ten-Item Perceived Stress Scale, Impact of Event Scale - Revised, and Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire were included. First, the cut-offs of the perceived stress scale were calculated by determining the 25^th and 75^th percentile scores for the sample of this survey. Then, MANOVA analyses were performed, together with ANOVAs and the Bonferroni Post hoc analyses as a follow-up. The dataset (.xlsx) includes the survey scores, while the tables and figures provide the analysed data, where the differences are shown. This data article may provide useful bases for future research on perceived stress and for suggesting associated factors on which focus clinical intervention and preventive programs.

Psychometric Properties of a Modified Athlete Burnout Questionnaire in the Collegiate Athletics Setting

CONTEXT

Mental health is an important component of holistic care in athletic settings. Burnout is one of many factors associated with poor mental health, and clinicians should assess for these symptoms. The Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) has been proposed as a measure of burnout in athletes; however, design concerns are prevalent within the scale, and psychometric analyses have resulted in inconsistent measurement properties, limiting the usefulness of the scale for accurate assessment of burnout in athletes. The objective of our study was to assess the factor structure of the Alternate Modified ABQ-15v2 using confirmatory factor analysis. If model fit was inadequate, a secondary purpose was to identify a psychometrically sound alternate ABQ model.

DESIGN

Observational study.

METHODS

Intercollegiate athletes and dancers pursuing a degree in dance (n = 614) were recruited from programs across the United States. Individuals had varied health statuses (eg, healthy, injured), scholarship support, and participated in a variety of intercollegiate sports. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on the modified 15-item ABQ (Alternate Modified ABQ-15v2). Exploratory factor analysis and covariance modeling of a proposed alternate 9-item scale (ABQ-9) was conducted and multigroup invariance analysis was assessed across athlete category, class standing, and student-athlete scholarship status to assess consistency of item interpretation across subgroups.

RESULTS

The Modified ABQ did not meet recommended model fit criteria. The ABQ-9 met all recommended model fit indices but was not invariant across athlete category.

CONCLUSIONS

The ABQ-9 may be a viable and efficient option for assessing burnout in the collegiate athletics setting. However, further research is needed to validate the ABQ-9 in a cross-validation study.

Burnout Syndrome in Selectable Athletes for the Brazilian Handball Team-Children Category

To investigate the presence of burnout syndrome in child athlete tryouts for the Brazilian Handball Team, before and after the National Development and Technical Improvement Camp is of great interest. A correlational study, with longitudinal design of the before-and-after type, carried out with 64 male athletes in the children's category, immersed in the National Camp for Development and Improvement of Handball Technique, in the municipality of São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil, in December 2018. To evaluate burnout syndrome, we used the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). There was a statistically significant increase of the mean scores for burnout and dimensions (Physical and Emotional Exhaustion = 1.5 to 1.6; p-value < 0.001; Reduced Sense of Accomplishment = 2.7 to 2.9; p-value < 0.001; Sports Devaluation = 1.4 to 1.6; p-value < 0.001; and General Burnout = 1.9 to 2.0; p-value < 0.001). The athletes selected for the national team had lower mean scores for general burnout and dimensions (Physical and Emotional Exhaustion = 1.5; Reduced Sense of Accomplishment = 2.7; Sports Devaluation = 1.5; General Burnout = 1.9). The National Camp for Development and Technical Improvement can have a negative impact on the mental health of athletes. This event is important to select the competitors with greater ability to face the pressure and adversities present in the sport environment.

The Relationship among Anxiety, Worry, Perceived Stress, Defense Mechanisms, and High Levels of Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms: A Discriminant Analytic Approach

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pathological condition that may lead to a significant deterioration in the quality of life over time. Therefore, the study of the elements that can characterize the disorder could be considered of great clinical interest and relevance. The aim of the present research was to empirically discriminate the influence of perceived stress, state anxiety, worry, and defense mechanisms (mature, neurotic, and immature) at different levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. A sample of 1250 participants (69.5% women, 30.5% men; M_age = 34.52, SD = 11.857) completed an online survey including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Ten-Item Perceived Stress Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, Forty Item Defense Style Questionnaire, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form X3. Data were analysed by implementing MANOVA and discriminant analysis. Results showed significant differences in the levels of perceived stress, state anxiety, and worry, as well as neurotic and immature defenses based on the levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms: F(12,2484) = 85.682, p < 0.001; Wilk's Λ = 0.430. Furthermore, these variables discriminate significant accuracy between participants who reported a mild psychological impact and those with a probable presence of PTSD, with perceived stress, which was found to be the best predictor. Classification results indicated that the original grouped cases were classified with 86.3% overall accuracy. Such findings may provide useful insight for clinical practice.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale in Chinese Elite Athletes

Coaching style is key to athletes' performance and mental well-being. However, few attempts have examined the effects of coaching style on athletes in a Chinese cultural context. Based on previous literature and 23 expert interviews (11 with athletes and 12 with coaches), we rebuilt a 16-items on the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale. In study 1, 130 provincial team athletes completed a 16-items questionnaire on controlling coach behaviors. The questionnaire items were then screened using exploratory factor analysis and transformed into a formal scale. In study 2, another 560 provincial athletes completed several measures related to coaching style, motivation, subjective vitality, and burnout, and systematic tests were carried out to validate the scale. Study 3 examined the test-retest reliability of the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale over a 2-week interval. Finally, the present study yielded a nine-item Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale with three dimensions (controlling use of reward, negative conditional regard, and excessive personal control). It suggests that cultural differences played an important role in the communication between athletes and coaches. The new Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale shows good validity and can be used in future research.

Can we speak of a negative psychological tetrad in sports? A probabilistic Bayesian study on competitive sailing

Introduction

Researchers display an interest in studying aspects like the mental health of high-performance athletes; the dark side of sport, or the earliest attempts to study the so-called dark triad of personality in both initiation and high-performance athletes. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to determine the possible existence and magnitude of negative psychological aspects within a population of competition sailors and from a probabilistic point of view, using Bayesian Network analysis.

Methods

The study was carried out on 235 semi-professional sailors of the 49er Class, aged between 16 and 52 years (M = 24.66; SD = 8.03).

Results

The results show the existence of a Negative Tetrad—formed by achievement burnout, anxiety due to concentration disruption, amotivation and importance given to error—as a probabilistic product of the psychological variables studied: motivation, anxiety, burnout and fear of error.

Conclusion

These results, supported by Bayesian networks, show holistically the influence of the social context on the psychological and emotional well-being of the athlete during competition at sea.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Translated Athlete Burnout Questionnaire: Evidence From Chinese Collegiate Athletes and Elite Athletes

The purpose of the study was to translate the athlete burnout questionnaire (ABQ) into Simplified Chinese and examine its psychometric properties in Chinese collegiate athletes and elite athletes. Firstly, the factor structure, internal consistency reliability and nomological validity of the Chinese translated ABQ was examined in a sample of Chinese collegiate athletes (n = 214, 58.9% females). Secondly, abovementioned psychometric properties were examined in a sample of Chinese elite athletes (n = 505, 52.7% females). Finally, measurement invariance of the Chinese translated ABQ was examined across the two samples. It was found that the 12-item three-correlated-factors model outperformed the one factor model and bi-factor model in collegiate athlete sample whereas the 12-item bi-factor model best represented the factor structure of the Chinese translated ABQ in elite athlete sample. Satisfactory internal consistency reliabilities of the Chinese translated ABQ were evidenced in the two samples. Nomological validity was also supported by the results of the two samples that the three subscales of the ABQ were significantly associated with its theoretically related variables. Results of multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis revealed that weak measurement invariance of the Chinese translated ABQ (three-correlated-factors model) was evidenced across the two samples. Collectively, results of this study indicated that the 12-item Chinese translated ABQ could be used for measuring burnout of Chinese collegiate and elite athletes. Significance and implication of the current study as well as recommendations for future study were discussed.

Is a pandemic as good as a rest? Comparing athlete burnout and stress before and after the suspension of organised team sport due to Covid-19 restrictions, and investigating the impact of athletes' responses to this period

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in social-distancing measures and the suspension of organised sport globally, and has been shown to have negatively impacted mental health. However, athletes may have experienced reprieve from sport demands, which have previously been linked with maladaptive responses such as burnout and stress. The aims of this study were (1) compare levels of burnout and stress reported by Gaelic games athletes pre- and post-COVID-19 suspension period, (2) explore how athletes utilised and perceived this period and the return to sport, and (3) examine the implications of this for burnout. Participants completed an online questionnaire, which included the athlete burnout questionnaire, perceived stress scale, sport emotion questionnaire, demographic questions, weekly training hours, and other hours for sport (e.g. travel) before Covid-19 (BC-19) and after the Covid-19-induced suspension (AC-19_S). Questions relating to how athletes utilised (e.g. training focus) and perceived (positive/negative impact) the period were included AC-19 S. Data was compared across time-points and we explored predictors of burnout AC-19_S. Ninety-two athletes completed the questionnaire at both time-points. No significant differences in burnout or stress were identified, suggesting the suspension period did not significantly impact these variables. Burnout BC-19, stress AC-19_S, unpleasant emotions about returning to sport and using the period to rest/recover positively predicted burnout AC-19_S. Reduction in other hours across time-points and pleasant emotions about returning predicted lower burnout. Results suggest an athletes' response to a suspension period and subsequent return to sport can impact feelings of burnout, and may have implications for future unanticipated change events.

The Quantity and Quality of Anxiety Are Mediating Variables between Motivation, Burnout and Fear of Failing in Sport

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect mediated by self-determined motivation on an athlete’s burnout, anxiety and fear of failure. To this end, the sample group consisting of 235 semi-professional yachtsmen and women was asked to answer four questionnaires which set out to assess each of the study’s variables: Behavioural Regulation in Sport Questionnaire, Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory, Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and Athlete Burnout Questionnaire. The ex-post facto research was designed to analyse a single group based on structural equation modelling (SEM) between the constructs under analysis. The results illustrate that behavioural regulation could be used to positively predict burnout and fear of failure mediated by sport anxiety. Moreover, behavioural regulation has a significant, positive and moderate bearing on burnout and is wholly mediated by sport anxiety. It concludes by underscoring the point that there is no relationship either between behavioural regulation and burnout or between behavioural regulation and fear of failure, unless the athlete in question experiences anxiety.

Associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms, perceived social support and psychological distress among disaster-exposed Chinese young adults: A three-wave longitudinal mediation model

Research has documented a strong association between perceived social support, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and psychological distress (PD) among people exposed to natural disasters. However, the direction of associations between these factors remains unclear. This study examined possible mediational relationships among perceived social support, PTSS, and PD. A three-wave longitudinal design (6 months intervals) was employed in a sample of 341 Chinese university students (M_age = 21.24, SD = 2.72; 75.7% female) aged 18 to 34 who were directly exposed to a typhoon that occurred in Macao, China, during August 2017. Results indicated that perceived social support at T2 mediated the linkage between PTSS at T1 and PD at T3, and that PTSS at T2 significantly mediated the relationship between PD at T1 and perceived social support at T3. This three-wave longitudinal study highlights the key role of perceived social support on the aggravating effect of acute PTSS on long-term psychological problems, and demonstrates that adverse psychological health outcomes negatively affect the perception of supportive social resources in the context of a natural disaster.

Pain-guided activity modification during treatment for patellar tendinopathy: a feasibility and pilot randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Activity modification is a key component of patellar tendinopathy treatment but there is a lack of evidence guiding activity modification prescription. Use of activity modification in treatment studies has varied widely and the impact of those recommendations has not been directly investigated or compared. The purpose of this study was to assess (1) the feasibility of using pain-guided activity modification during treatment for patellar tendinopathy and (2) if our outcome measures are responsive to changes in tendon health over the course of treatment.

METHODS

This was an unblinded, randomized two-arm pilot and feasibility study randomized clinical trial with parallel assignment, conducted in Newark, DE. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 40 years old with patellar tendinopathy were included. Participants were randomly assigned to a pain-guided activity (PGA) or pain-free activity (PFA) group using a spreadsheet-based randomization scheme. All participants received standardized treatment using a modified version of the heavy-slow resistance protocol 3×/week for 12 weeks. For the first 6 weeks, the PGA group used the Pain-Monitoring Model to guide activity outside of treatment and the PFA group was restricted from running, jumping, or activities that provoked their patellar tendon pain. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, enrollment, randomization, compliance, and retention percentages. Clinical evaluations were conducted at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks to assess symptom severity, psychological factors, tendon morphology and mechanical properties, lower extremity function, and quadriceps muscle performance.

RESULTS

In a ~ 13-month period, 108 individuals were screened, 47/108 (43.5%) were eligible for participation, and 15/47 (32.0%) of those were enrolled (9 PGA, 6 PFA). The recruitment rate was 1.15 participants/month. The mean ± SD compliance with treatment was PGA: 86.1 ± 13.0% and PFA: 67.1 ± 30.7%. There was one missed evaluation session and two adverse events, which were not due to study interventions. Changes exceeding the smallest detectable change were observed for at least one outcome in each domain of tendon health.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of pain-guided activity modification during exercise therapy for patellar tendinopathy was found to be feasible, and the proposed outcome measures appropriate. Computer-based allocation concealment, blinding of evaluators, and greater recruitment of high-level athletes should be implemented in future trials.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03694730 . Registered 3rd of October, 2018.

The prevalence of burnout and its relationship with capital types among university staff in Tehran, Iran: A cross-sectional study

Background

Burnout is a job-related syndrome that is common among university staff, and it is caused by various factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of burnout and its relationship with capital types among university staff in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical design was used in which 420 staff were randomly sampled from the Iran University of Medical Sciences. For data collection, the researchers used the Burnout Inventory of Maslach and Jackson and Capital Types Questionnaire. The data were entered into SPSS software (Version 22) and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and regressions.

Results

The mean burnout of staff was 84.42, and 45.9% of them had high burnout. A significant relationship was found among capital types, work experience, gender, education, and burnout. Multiple linear regressions also showed that independent variables estimated about 32% of the variance of the dependent variable, social capital, gender, and work experience, contributed more to explaining and predicting burnout index.

Conclusion

Regarding the relationship between burnout and capital types (economic, cultural, and social), it is necessary to increase capital by increasing cultural activities, staff's knowledge level, income levels, informal groups, and finally, strengthening interpersonal relationships among staff.

Sleep Characteristics and Mood of Professional Esports Athletes: A Multi-National Study

Esports is becoming increasingly professionalized, yet research on performance management is remarkably lacking. The present study aimed to investigate the sleep and mood of professional esports athletes. Participants were 17 professional esports athletes from South Korea (N = 8), Australia (N = 4), and the United States (N = 5) who played first person shooter games (mean age 20 ± 3.5 years, 100% male). All participants wore a wrist-activity monitor for 7–14 days and completed subjective sleep and mood questionnaires. Participants had a median total sleep time of 6.8 h and a sleep efficiency of 86.4% per night. All participants had significantly delayed sleep patterns (median sleep onset 3:43 a.m. and wake time 11:24 a.m.). Participants had a median sleep onset latency of 20.4 min and prolonged wake after sleep onset of 47.9 min. Korean players had significantly higher depression scores compared to the other groups (p < 0.01) and trained longer per day than the Australian or United States teams (13.4 vs. 4.8 vs. 6.1 h, respectively). Depression scores were strongly correlated with number of awakenings, wake after sleep onset, and daily training time (p < 0.05). As the first pilot sleep study in the esports field, this study indicates that esports athletes show delayed sleep patterns and have prolonged wake after sleep onset. These sleep patterns may be associated with mood (depression) and training time. Sleep interventions designed specifically for esports athletes appear warranted.

Promoting Athlete Mental Health: The Role of Emotion Regulation

This study investigated the relationship between reappraisal and suppression with depression and mental well-being among university athletes. It was hypothesized reappraisal would associate with lower depression and greater mental well-being, whereas suppression would associate with greater depression and reduced mental well-being. Employing a cross-sectional design, 427 participants (Mage = 20.18, SD = 1.52; 188 males and 239 females) completed questionnaires assessing mental health and strategy use. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed reappraisal was positively associated, and suppression negatively associated with mental well-being, ΔR2 = 4.8%, ΔF(2, 422) = 17.01, p < .001; suppression, β = −0.08, p = .028; reappraisal, β = 0.21, p < .001, but neither were associated with depression, ΔR2 = 0.4%, ΔF(2, 422) = 1.33, p = .267; suppression, β = 0.06, p = .114; reappraisal, β = 0.03, p = .525. Results highlight reappraisal as correlated with mental well-being in student-athletes, and therefore, reappraisal could be beneficial for managing stress in sport. Reappraisal may implicate how well-being is promoted through sport, but future experimental research is needed to confirm causal relationships.

Mental Health Measurement in a Post Covid-19 World: Psychometric Properties and Invariance of the DASS-21 in Athletes and Non-athletes

Psychological science faces a call to action researching the implications of the corona virus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Rapid reviews have reported that maintaining rigorous research standards is a priority for the field, such as ensuring reliable and valid measurement, when investigating people’s experience of Covid-19 (O’Connor et al., 2020). However, no research to date has validated a measure mental health symptomology for an athlete population. The current research addresses this gap by examining the internal consistency, factor structure, invariance, and convergent validity of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond and Lovibond, 1995) in two athlete samples. Participants completed the DASS-21 and sport-specific measures of mental health such as the Profile of Mood States – Depression subscale (POMS-D), Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), and Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ). In sample one (n = 894), results of exploratory structural equation modeling indicated that a three-factor model provided good fit to the data, but a bifactor model provided better fit. Factor loadings indicated minimal misspecification and higher loadings on the general-factor. Invariance testing suggested equivalence across gender, athletic expertise, sport type, and injury status. Further, latent mean differences analyses indicated that females and injured athletes scored higher than male and non-injured athletes on all DASS-21 factors reporting higher mental health symptomology, those with more expertise scored higher on the general-factor and depression and those with less expertise scored higher on anxiety and stress, and no differences between team and individual athletes. In sample two (n = 589), the bifactor structure was replicated. Results largely supported the scales convergent validity with depression predicting POMS-D scores, whereas all three subscales predicted the SAS-2, ABQ, and APSQ scores. Internal consistency was acceptable in both samples. The current work provides initial support for use of the DASS-21 as an operationalisation of mental health symptomology in athletes. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

The Factorial Validity of the Norwegian Version of the Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS-N)

BACKGROUND

Athlete self-report measures (ASRM) are methods of athlete monitoring, which have gained considerable popularity in recent years. The Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS), consisting of 22 items, is a promising self-report measure to assess training distress among athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the factorial validity of the Norwegian version of MTDS (MTDS-N) among student-athletes (n = 632) attending the optional program subject "Top-Level Sports" in upper secondary schools in Norway.

METHODS

A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to assess the six-factor model proposed by Main and Grove (2009). McDonald's omega (ω) along with confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate scale reliability. After examining the fit of the CFA model in the total sample, covariates were included to investigate group differences in latent variables of MTDS-N, resulting in the multiple indicators multiple causes (MIMIC) model. Further, direct paths between the covariates and the factor indicators were included in an extended MIMIC model to investigate whether responses to items differed between groups, resulting in differential item functioning (DIF).

RESULTS

When modification indices (MIs) were taken into consideration, the alternative CFA model revealed that MTDS-N is an acceptable psychometric tool with a good fit index. The factors in MTDS-N all constituted high scale reliability with McDonald's ω ranging from 0.725-0.862. The results indicated statistically significant group differences in factor scores for gender, type of sport, hours of training per week, school program, and school level. Further, results showed that DIF occurred in 13 of the MTDS-N items. The student-athletes' reports of training distress were moderate.

CONCLUSION

The MTDS-N may be suitable for use in a Norwegian population to assess student-athletes' training distress in a reliable manner. The indications of group effects suggest that caution should be used if one is interested in making group comparisons when the MTDS-N is used among student-athletes in Norway until further research is conducted.

Relationships between Controlling Interpersonal Coaching Style, Basic Psychological Need Thwarting, and Burnout, in Adolescent Soccer Players

The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationships between a controlling interpersonal style, psychological need thwarting and burnout in adolescent soccer players and to test a structural equation model to analyze whether (a) a controlling interpersonal style is a predictor of psychological need thwarting and whether (b) psychological need thwarting is a predictor of burnout. A total of 103 male soccer players between the ages of 12 and 17 participated in the research (M= 14.91; SD= 5.56). The Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale, the Psychological Need Thwarting Scale, and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire were used to evaluate the variables under study. The analyses revealed significant relationships between a controlling interpersonal style, psychological need thwarting and burnout. Furthermore, the proposed structural equations model, using the partial least squares (PLS) method, showed that a controlling style is a positive predictor of basic psychological need thwarting and that the latter is a predictor of burnout, as well as revealing an indirect relationship between a controlling style and burnout. This indirect effect of the controlling style variable on burnout can be enhanced (or attenuated) by the basic psychological need thwarting variable, which acts as a modulator.

Risikoeinschätzung für depressive Syndrome anhand eines Screenings psychologischer Variablen

Zusammenfassung. Die Prävention von psychischen Krankheiten wie etwa Depressionen im Leistungssport sind ein wichtiges Ziel in der empirischen und angewandten Sportpsychologie. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht in diesem Kontext, inwieweit sich anhand der Messung von psychologischen Variablen eine Einschätzung des Risikos für das Vorliegen einer depressiven Symptomatik bestimmen lässt. Zur Umsetzung wurde auf der Datengrundlage eines vorangegangenen Projektes ein Schätzmodell aufgestellt. Anhand der im Projekt ermittelten, signifikanten Dispositionen (Stressverarbeitungsstrategie Resignation, dysfunktionale Einstellungen und Erholung) wurde in einer logistischen Regression das Vorliegen einer erhöhten depressiven Symptomatik geschätzt. Im zweiten Teil wurden diese Erkenntnisse auf Daten von 216 Sportlerinnen und Sportler eines bestehenden online-Angebotes zur Prävention von Burnout und Depression angewandt. Die Ergebnisse weisen für 15% der Nutzer eine erhöhte Wahrscheinlichkeit für das Vorliegen einer depressiven Symptomatik auf. Die Ergebnisse zeigen weiter, dass ein indirektes Screening durch die Erfassung wichtiger, psychologischer Variablen sinnvoll sein kann und in der Praxis wertvolle Informationen bereitstellt.

Measuring stress in clinical and nonclinical subjects using a German adaptation of the Perceived Stress Scale

Background/Objective: Stress is perceived differently across individuals, which might be particularly true for nonclinical and clinical subjects. For this reason, we tested a German adaption of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) for model fit and measurement invariance in a big nonclinical and clinical sample. Method: We (1) conducted multiple confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in 1,248 nonclinical subjects and 575 outpatients, (2) measurement invariance with multigroup CFA, (3) assessed correlations with relevant constructs and (4) calculated internal consistencies for overall stress and the subscales Helplessness and Self-efficacy. Results: In both samples, CFA revealed a robust two-factorial structure with an excellent model fit. Group comparisons revealed strict measurement invariance. Correlations with associated measures support validity. Internal consistencies were good to very good. Conclusions: We show highly satisfactory psychometric properties of the German PSS-10 for nonclinical and clinical individuals. Measurement invariance analyses demonstrated that varying stress levels of people with a different mental health status are due to true interindividual differences.

Former Road Cyclists Still Involved in Cycling Report Lower Burnout Levels Than Those Who Abandoned This Sport

Despite the numerous benefits associated with sport practice, many children and adolescents end up quitting it year after year, with a stable dropout rate between 10 and 19 years of age. Among the causes of sport abandonment, the scientific literature highlights the presence of burnout as a fundamental factor. In this regard, the aim of the present study was to investigate the levels of the three components of sport burnout–emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation–reported by a sample of young (former) athletes, depending on whether their sport abandonment was relative (i.e., change to another sport modality) or definitive. In particular, participants were former agonist road cyclists, who have been divided into three groups on the basis of what they did after abandoning road bicycle racing, namely: (a) those still involved in cycling, either in a different specialty (e.g., mountain bike) or with a different role (e.g., coach for kids); (b) those who started practicing a different sport; and (c) those who definitively abandoned sports. The general hypothesis was that, with respect to those who changed sport and those who definitively abandoned it, those still involved in cycling would report experiencing lower levels of the three burnout components during the last year practicing it. To test this hypothesis, the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ; Raedeke and Smith, 2001) was administered to 85 young former road cyclists. The results seem to support the hypothesis for two out of the three components, namely, emotional and physical exhaustion and sport devaluation; on the other hand, for reduced sense of accomplishment, no difference among the three groups emerged. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of such processes, also in relation with other relevant constructs; yet, the results of the present study should already raise the awareness of sport organizations on the need to deal with this and related phenomena by adopting appropriate strategies to ensure the well-being of young athletes, thus trying to reduce early dropout.

Psychological Predictors for Depression and Burnout Among German Junior Elite Athletes

There exists a strong need for research in clinical sport psychology which does not merely gather information on prevalence rates for psychological disorders and case studies of affected athletes. Rather, research should also uncover the underlying psychological variables which increase the risk for depression and burnout in elite athletes. Many studies gather general factors (e.g., gender, injury, sport discipline) and stay on a more descriptive level. Both constructs (burnout and depression) are based on a temporal, stress-related process model assuming the development of either syndrome results from unfavorable personal (e.g., dysfunctional attitudes, perfectionism, negative coping strategies) or environmental (e.g., cohesion) factors coexisting with severe stressors (i.e., chronic stress). Integrating this knowledge, we propose a shared model for depression and burnout in athletes: a sport specific diathesis-stress model. The present longitudinal study assesses data throughout one sporting season to analyze predictors for both constructs in junior elite athletes. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses resulted in six predictors for best model fit. The following factors demonstrated a significant impact on predicting (a) burnout or (b) depression scores at the end of the season: dysfunctional attitudes (a and b), coping strategies (a and b), perfectionism (a), recovery (b), stress (a) and the level of depression at onset (b). Variables such as cohesion or attributional style did not significantly predict depression or burnout. The study supports the structure of a process model (diathesis-stress model) for burnout and depression with the assumption of temporal progression. With some vulnerabilities and their temporal, developmental link identified, prevention can become athlete-specific, effective and economical.

Sleep Quality as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Job Burnout Among Chinese Nurses: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis

Background: Job burnout has become an increasing prevailing phenomenon among nurses in both developed and developing countries. There is a paucity of research exploring the relationship between perceived stress (i.e., the level of one's perception or appraisal of stress rather than objective stressful events) and job burnout and no existing literature examining the mediating role of sleep quality in the relationship between these two constructs. The objective of the study was to examine if sleep quality mediates the relationship between perceived stress and job burnout. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from a total of 1,013 nurses working in six public tertiary hospitals in China. The self-administered questionnaire included demographic information, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Perceived Stress Scale. Hierarchical multiple regression (HMR) analyses were performed to examine the contribution of each covariate to the prediction of job burnout. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test whether the proposed relationships between variables involved existed. Results: Both perceived stress and poor sleep quality exhibited strong positive associations with job burnout among Chinese nurses. The SEM analysis confirmed the direct pathway from perceived stress to burnout and the indirect pathway mediated by sleep quality. The direct effect of perceived stress on job burnout was found to be statistically significant and positive (β = 0.69, p < 0.05). There existed statistically significant effects of sleep quality on both perceived stress (β = 0.48) and job burnout (β = 0.29). The path coefficients of perceived stress on job burnout were significantly reduced (β = 0.56) when sleep quality was modeled as a mediator. The bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrap test revealed that sleep quality had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between perceived stress and job burnout (a ^* b = 0.139, BCa 95%, CI: 0.110~0.174). Conclusion: Perceived stress might exert significant effects on burnout both directly and indirectly through the mediating role of sleep quality. Efforts to reduce burnout among nurses in clinical settings may benefit from interventions for coping with perceived stress and practices for promoting healthy sleep.

The role of school connectedness and maladaptive cognitions in the association between stress and Internet addiction: A serial mediation model

PURPOSE

To explore the mediating effect of school interest and maladaptive cognitions in the relationship between stress and Internet addiction.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 2271 high school students were recruited from a Chinese high school. Serial mediation model was used.

RESULTS

School interest and maladaptive cognitions had 0.03 and 0.13 indirect effects in the association between stress and Internet addiction, and accounting for 7.9% and 34.2% of the total effect, respectively. The serial indirect effect of school interest and maladaptive cognition was 0.05, accounting for 13.2% of the total effect.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The present study highlights the need of reducing stress and increasing school interest among high school students to prevent and intervene the occurrence of Internet addiction.

Identifying Unique Contributions of the Coach-Athlete Working Alliance, Psychological Resilience and Perceived Stress on Athlete Burnout among Norwegian Junior Athletes

The main purpose of the current study was to examine how the coach-athlete working alliance, psychological resilience and perceived stress are uniquely associated with burnout among junior athletes in sport. A sample of 670 Norwegian junior athletes practicing a variety of sports participated in the study. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the bond dimension of the working alliance, the protective factors 'planned future' and 'structured style', as well as perceived stress, all contributed uniquely to the explanation of athlete burnout. A dominance analysis identified perceived stress to have the strongest relative influence on athlete burnout among the set of variables investigated in this study. The findings are discussed in terms of applied implications and possible future research.

New Burnout Evaluation Model Based on the Brief Burnout Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties for Nursing

Health care personnel are considered one of the worker sectors most exposed to heavier workloads and work stress. One of the consequences associated with the exposure to chronic stress is the development of burnout syndrome. Given that evaluating this syndrome requires addressing the context in which they are to be used, the purpose of this work was to analyze the psychometric properties and structure of the Burnout Brief Questionnaire (CBB), and to propose a more suitable version for its application to health professionals, and more specifically nurses. The final study sample was made up of 1236 working nursing professionals. An exploratory factorial analysis was carried out and a new model was proposed through a confirmatory factorial analysis. Thus, validation of the CBB questionnaire for nursing health care personnel showed an adequate discrimination of the items and a high internal consistency of the scale. With respect to the factorial analysis, four factors were extracted from the revised model. Specifically, these new factors, called job dissatisfaction, social climate, personal impact, and motivational abandonment, showed an adequate index of adjustment. Thus, the Brief Burnout Questionnaire Revised for nursing staff has favorable psychometric properties, and this model can be applied to all health care professionals.

Perfectionism, Burnout, and Depression in Youth Soccer Players: A Longitudinal Study

The relationship between perfectionism, burnout and depression among youth soccer players is of interest due to the competitive academy environments that must be navigated in order to become a professional soccer player. Three alternative theoretical models have been proposed to explain the relationship between perfectionism, burnout and depression. These models state that perfectionism is (a) a vulnerability factor for burnout and depression (vulnerability model), (b) a consequence of burnout and depression (complication/scar model), or (c) that the relationships are reciprocal (reciprocal relations model). The purpose of this study was to test these three models in youth soccer players. One hundred and eight male soccer players (M = 16.15 years, SD = 1.84) from professional clubs completed measures of perfectionism, burnout symptoms, and depressive symptoms twice, three months apart. Cross-lagged panel analysis provided support for a reciprocal relations model for burnout symptoms and a complication/scar model for depressive symptoms.

Prediction of life stress on athletes' burnout: the dual role of perceived stress

Although many studies adopted Smith's (1986) cognitive-affective model of athletic burnout in examining stress-burnout relationship, very few studies examined the mediating/moderating role of perceived stress on the stress-burnout relationship. We sampled 195 college student-athletes and assessed their life stress, perceived stress, and burnout. Correlation analyses found all study variables correlated. Two separate hierarchical regression analyses found that the "distress" component of perceived stress mediated athletes' two types of life stress-burnout relationship but "counter-stress" component of perceived stress-moderated athletes' general-life stress-burnout relationship. We concluded that interweaving relationships among athletes' life stress, perceived stress, and burnout are not straightforward. Future research should consider the nature of athletes life stress, and dual role of perceived stress in examining its' association with related psychological responses in athletic settings.

Examining the stress-burnout relationship: the mediating role of negative thoughts

Background

Using Smith’s (1986) cognitive-affective model of athletic burnout as a guiding framework, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among athletes’ stress in life, negative thoughts, and the mediating role of negative thoughts on the stress-burnout relationship.

Methods

A total of 300 college student-athletes (males = 174; females = 126, M_age = 20.43 y, SD = 1.68) completed the College Student Athlete’s Life Stress Scale (CSALSS; Lu et al., 2012), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ; Hollon & Kendall, 1980), and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ; Raedeke & Smith, 2001).

Results

Correlational analyses found that two types of life stress and four types of negative thoughts correlated with burnout. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses found that four types of negative thoughts partially mediated the stress-burnout relationship.

Discussion

We concluded that an athlete’s negative thoughts play a pivotal role in predicting athletes’ stress-burnout relationship. Future study may examine how irrational cognition influences athletes’ motivation and psychological well-being.