Psychological Balance in High Level Athletes: Gender-Based Differences and Sport-Specific Patterns
Author Information
Author(s): Schaal Karine, Tafflet Muriel, Nassif Hala, Thibault Valérie, Pichard Capucine, Alcotte Mathieu, Guillet Thibaut, El Helou Nour, Berthelot Geoffroy, Simon Serge, Toussaint Jean-François
Primary Institution: Institut de Recherche Bio-Médicale et Epidémiologique du Sport (IRMES), Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance (INSEP), Paris, France
Hypothesis
This study aimed to identify the principal psychological problems encountered within French high level athletes, and the variations in their prevalence based on sex and the sport practiced.
Conclusion
The study found that while the prevalence of psychological problems in high level athletes is no higher than in the general population, significant gender differences and variations based on the type of sport practiced exist.
Supporting Evidence
- 17% of athletes have at least one ongoing or recent disorder, with generalized anxiety disorder being the most prevalent at 6%.
- 20.2% of women had at least one psychopathology compared to 15.1% in men.
- The highest rates of generalized anxiety disorder appeared in aesthetic sports, with 38.9% in women.
- 4.9% of athletes had ongoing eating disorders, with women being significantly more affected than men.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many athletes have mental health issues and found that women are more likely to have problems than men, especially in certain sports.
Methodology
Multivariate analyses were conducted on nationwide data obtained from the athletes' yearly psychological evaluations.
Potential Biases
The type of professional performing the evaluations influenced the prevalence of identified psychological disorders.
Limitations
The study may have lower rates of psychopathology due to professional bias, as a higher proportion of athletes were evaluated by psychologists than physicians.
Participant Demographics
The sample was representative of the nationwide proportion for high level sport, with 64.8% men and 35.2% women, ages ranging from 12 to 35 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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