The Perspectives of High-performance Athletes on Mental Health Assessment: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study
Loading...
Files
Size: 797.06 KB, File format: Adobe PDF
Date
Authors
Silvester, C
Hume, PA
Clark, T
Donkin, L
Supervisor
Item type
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence has reinforced the importance of psychological screening and mental health assessment (MHA) of high-performance athletes for early identification and prevention of mental ill-health. However, there is variation in worldwide implementation of MHA. It is unclear what assessment is available to athletes and how this assessment is perceived by those within the high-performance environment in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This study sought to identify experiences Aotearoa/New Zealand high-performance athletes had with MHA, the effects of MHA, and how MHA might be improved. Seventy-four athletes answered an online, mixed-methods survey investigating this topic. Over half of all participants reported having experienced no MHA monitoring, 55% reported current screening approaches were insufficient, and 89% indicated assessments could be improved. Of those whose mental health was actively screened, 22% believed current approaches were sufficient, 47% believed that current approaches were partially sufficient, and 31% believed current MHA approaches were insufficient. Participants reported that MHA facilitates access to support, addresses mental health stigma, and has a bidirectional association with sporting and personal culture. Participants differentiated between formal and informal assessments, discussing the positive and negative features of both.
Description
Keywords
52 Psychology, 5203 Clinical and Health Psychology, 5201 Applied and Developmental Psychology, Prevention, Mental Health, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy, 1701 Psychology, 1702 Cognitive Sciences, High-performance athlete, mental well-being, mental health screening, qualitative
Source
International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, ISSN: 1612-197X (Print); 1557-251X (Online), Informa UK Limited, 24(6), 1182-1203. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2025.2495673
Publisher's version
Rights statement
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
Permanent link
Endorsement
Review
Supplemented By
Referenced By
Creative Commons license
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives