Mindfulness and impulsive behavior: exploring the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness among high-level athletes in Central China

Introduction

In the highly competitive field of sports, impulsive behavior by athletes not only threatens personal and team harmony but also poses significant risks to their careers and public image. Despite these behaviors often becoming the focus of public attention, their underlying causes and prevention strategies remain relatively unknown. This study delves deep into the impact of mindfulness on athletes' impulsive behavior, revealing the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness.

Methods

Using a combination of snowball and convenience sampling, a sample of 403 athletes from high-level sports teams in the Central China region participated in a questionnaire survey. The data were analyzed using Amos v.23 software.

Results

The findings indicate a positive correlation between mindfulness and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.336, p < 0.001), as well as between self-reflection and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.406, p < 0.001). There is a negative correlation between coping effectiveness and impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.476, p < 0.001). The positive impact of mindfulness on impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.371, p < 0.01) is mediated by self-reflection and coping effectiveness. The explanatory power of this study is R2 = 0.35.

Discussion

Mindfulness reduces impulsive behavior by enhancing self-reflection capabilities and improving coping effectiveness. Based on these substantive research results, to mitigate impulsive behavior in athletes, it is recommended that the National Sports Administration and coaches actively implement mindfulness training. Additionally, targeted psychological intervention strategies should be developed to enhance athletes' mental health levels and optimize their sports performance.

Alexithymia and Impulsivity in Combat Sports - A Tale of Three Measures

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of two measures of alexithymia - the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Perth Alexithymia Questionnaire (PAQ) - as well as the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale 11 measure of behavioural impulsivity because the psychometric properties of these scales have not been established in athletes. As part of a larger study, 298 participants completed an online survey that included the TAS-20, PAQ, and BIS 11, as well personal- (age and gender) and sport-specific (primary combat sport and level of competition) demographic measures. A unidimensional model was retained for the TAS-20. A unidimensional model with the possibility of multidimensional measure was retained for the PAQ, with the viability of a subscale for Generalised Externally Orientated Thinking supported. The only versions of the BIS that were retainable were unidimensional models for the BIS-15 (a 15-item version of the BIS 11) and the BIS-Brief (an 8-item version of the BIS 11). As expected, the measures of alexithymia were highly correlated. The associations between impulsivity and alexithymia as well as age and alexithymia were small in nature, with none these associations moderated by level of gender, level of competition, or primary sport for the participants. No differences in alexithymia or impulsivity according to gender, level of competition, or primary sport were noted for the participants. Implications of these findings for the measures of alexithymia - the TAS-20 and PAQ - and impulsivity - the BIS-15 and BIS-Brief - examined in the present study with athletes (as well as with other populations) are discussed.

Changes in State and Trait Anxiety Throughout Concussion Recovery in High School- and College-Aged Individuals

CONTEXT

Researchers have indicated that individuals may experience anxiety symptoms after concussion. A potential mechanism for these presentations is shifts in anxiety throughout recovery.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the levels of state and trait anxiety in individuals after concussion throughout recovery compared with the levels in individuals serving as uninjured matched control participants.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

University laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Seventy-eight high school- and college-aged individuals (concussion group = 39, age = 18.4 ± 2.3 years; matched control group = 39, age = 18.4 ± 2.3 years) were enrolled.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was administered within 72 hours of injury (day 0: first test session), 5 days (±1 day) after the first test session (day 5), and at the time of full medical clearance (+2 days). Separate 2 × 3 repeated-measures analyses of variance were used to investigate differences in state and trait anxiety for each group throughout recovery.

RESULTS

State and trait anxiety were higher in the concussion group than in the control group at day 0, day 5, and full medical clearance. For state anxiety, we observed a group × time interaction (F2,150 = 10.45, P < .001, ƞp2 = 0.12). For trait anxiety, we did not note an interaction (F1.74,150 = 1.5, P = .22, ƞp2 = 0.02) but did find main effects for time (F1.74,150 = 25.7, P < .001, ƞp2 = 0.3) and group (F1,75 = 7.23, P = .01, ƞp2 = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Participants with concussion experienced higher levels of state anxiety throughout recovery than matched control individuals. Although trait anxiety was higher in the concussion group and decreased over time, no interaction was seen, demonstrating that concussion may not affect this aspect of personality. Postinjury anxiety may result from increased state anxiety, and clinicians should screen for and manage these symptoms throughout recovery.

Multicentre evaluation of anxiety and mood among collegiate student athletes with concussion

Objectives

Mental health problems are a premorbid and postinjury concern among college student athletes. Clinical phenotypes of anxiety and mood disruption are prevalent following mild traumatic brain injury, including concussion, a common sports injury. This work examined whether concussed student athletes with a history of mental health problems and higher symptoms of anxiety and mood disruption at baseline were more likely to have higher postinjury reports of mood and anxiety as well as prolonged resolution of postconcussive symptoms to near-baseline measures.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of a multi-institutional database of standardised baseline and postinjury assessments among college student athletes. Anxiety/mood evaluation data among varsity college athletes from four institutions over 1 year were measured and compared at baseline and postconcussion recovery using descriptive statistics and multilevel/mixed-effects analysis.

Results

Data from 2248 student athletes were analysed, with 40.6% reporting at least one symptom of anxiety and/or mood disruption at baseline. Of the 150 distinct concussions, 94.7% reported symptoms of anxiety/mood disruption during recovery (recovery time=0-96 days). Higher anxiety/mood scores at baseline were significantly associated with higher scores following concussion (p<0.001). Recovery trajectories of anxiety/mood scores showed different patterns by sex and prolonged recovery.

Conclusion

Symptoms of anxiety and mood disruption are common at baseline among college student athletes. These students are at higher risk for symptomatology following injury, representing a screening cohort that may benefit from early counselling. Almost all student athletes will experience symptoms of anxiety and/or mood disruption following concussion.