Differences in Postinjury Psychological Symptoms Between Collegiate Athletes With Concussions and Orthopedic Injuries

Depression, anxiety and stress among female student-athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify, quantify and analyse determinants of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among female student-athletes.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Five online databases (PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo, SportDiscus and Web of Science) searched from inception through 14 September 2023. Hand-searches and contacting authors for eligible studies.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Articles were included if they were published in English, included female student-athletes competing at National Collegiate Athletic Association institutions, and measured symptom-level depression, anxiety and/or stress.

RESULTS AND SUMMARY

We screened 2415 articles; 52 studies (N=13 849) were included in the systematic review with 13 studies qualifying for meta-analysis. Seventeen determinants were identified including injury (eg, concussions), health (eg, sleep hygiene) and social factors (eg, social support). As data specific to female student-athletes was delineated from studies that included other populations, we observed 16 studies (30.7%) reported that identifying as female was a meaningful determinant of depression, anxiety and stress in athletes. Results of the meta-analysis (k=13, N=5004) suggested a small but significant association (r=0.15, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.24, p=0.004) between other determinants and depression, anxiety, and stress among female student-athletes.

CONCLUSION

Coaches, trainers and clinicians are key contributors in supporting female student-athlete mental health, with responsibilities for integrating mental skill training, sleep hygiene education and regular assessments. Comprehensive mental health and tailored education programmes considering determinants such as injury, health and social factors specific to female student-athletes are needed to enhance mental health equity in sport.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42022362163.

The Influence of Psychological Factors on the Incidence and Severity of Sports-Related Concussions: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

An athlete's preexisting psychological factors may influence the incidence and/or severity of sports-related concussions (SRCs).

PURPOSE

To determine if emotional states, personality traits, temperament, life stressors, and explanatory styles (optimism vs pessimism) influence the incidence and severity of SRCs in athletes.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of multiple major medical reference databases was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were included that evaluated the effect of preexisting psychological factors on the incidence and severity of SRCs in male and female athletes participating in all sports.

RESULTS

The initial search identified 1195 articles. Ten studies met our inclusion criteria and were included in our analysis. Factors such as meanness, aggression, and psychoticism were associated with an increased incidence of SRCs. Baseline traits of irritability, sadness, nervousness, and depressive symptoms were associated with worse symptomatology after SRCs. In young athletes, preexisting psychiatric illnesses, family history of psychiatric illness, and significant life stressors were associated with an increased risk of developing postconcussion syndrome after SRCs.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrated a potential relationship between an athlete's preexisting psychological factors and the incidence and severity of SRCs. These associations are not entirely clear owing to the heterogeneity across included studies and the low-to-moderate certainty of evidence. Future studies should attempt to evaluate men and women independently, use well-validated psychological questionnaires, and limit the usage of self-reported SRCs, when possible. Furthermore, the potential efficacy of baseline psychological factor and/or symptom reports on the prevention and management of SRCs should be explored.

Determinants of anxiety in elite athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To identify and quantify determinants of anxiety symptoms and disorders experienced by elite athletes.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Five online databases (PubMed, SportDiscus, PsycINFO, Scopus and Cochrane) were searched up to November 2018 to identify eligible citations.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Articles were included if they were published in English, were quantitative studies and measured a symptom-level anxiety outcome in competing or retired athletes at the professional (including professional youth), Olympic or collegiate/university levels.

Results and summary

We screened 1163 articles; 61 studies were included in the systematic review and 27 of them were suitable for meta-analysis. Overall risk of bias for included studies was low. Athletes and non-athletes had no differences in anxiety profiles (d=−0.11, p=0.28). Pooled effect sizes, demonstrating moderate effects, were identified for (1) career dissatisfaction (d=0.45; higher anxiety in dissatisfied athletes), (2) gender (d=0.38; higher anxiety in female athletes), (3) age (d=−0.34; higher anxiety for younger athletes) and (4) musculoskeletal injury (d=0.31; higher anxiety for injured athletes). A small pooled effect was found for recent adverse life events (d=0.26)—higher anxiety in athletes who had experienced one or more recent adverse life events.

Conclusion

Determinants of anxiety in elite populations broadly reflect those experienced by the general population. Clinicians should be aware of these general and athlete-specific determinants of anxiety among elite athletes.