Mental health and psychological well-being among professional rugby league players from the UK

Nicholls, Adam Robert; Madigan, Daniel J.; Fairs, Lucas R W; Bailey, Richard

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to measure depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological well-being among a sample of Super League players, the highest tier of professional rugby league in the northern hemisphere. Methods: Between November 2018 and July 2019, a sample of 233 Super League players completed questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and psychological well-being. Results: Players exhibited normal (85.8%), mild (11.6%) or moderate/severe (2.6%) depressive symptoms. Additionally, players reported normal (67.4%), mild (18.9%) or moderate/severe (13.7%) anxiety symptoms. The mean psychological well-being score across the sample was 25.07 (SD=4.34). 35.2% of players scored below average for this construct. Conclusion: The prevalence of mild depressive symptoms, moderate/severe depressive symptoms and mild anxiety symptoms among Super League players preliminary appear higher than in the general population from the UK. Much more research is needed to understand mental health among elite athletes.

Citation

Nicholls, A. R., Madigan, D. J., Fairs, L. R. W., & Bailey, R. (2020). Mental health and psychological well-being among professional rugby league players from the UK. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 6(1), Article e000711. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000711

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 6, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Feb 24, 2020
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Deposit Date: Jul 28, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 28, 2021
• Journal: BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine
• Print ISSN: 2055-7647
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e000711
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000711
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3450048