Looking forward to student-athlete mental health: Racial/ethnic trends from 2010 to 2015. 2021

Alisia G T T Tran
Counseling and Counseling Psychology, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA.

This study examined trends in functionally impairing depression, significant anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among college student-athletes across time, racial/ethnic group, and student-athlete standing. The sample consisted of 39,840 White, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Multiracial students who reported participating in "varsity" level college athletics in the past 12 months during the Spring 2010-2015 administrations of the American College of Health Association National College Health Assessment II. Chi-square and difference in proportion tests compared mental health rates across time, racial/ethnic groups, and student-athlete status (student-athlete versus non-athlete). Findings suggested a lack of differences in mental health rates between 2010 and 2015, with the exception of a higher rate of anxiety for White student-athletes in 2015. Racial/ethnic comparisons pointed to relatively consistent heightened risks for depression and suicide concerns among Asian/Pacific Islander and Multiracial student-athletes compared to White student-athletes. Student-athlete status appeared most consistently to benefit White student-athletes, whereas there was evidence of potential liability of student-athlete status for Asian/Pacific Islander student-athletes. Results make the case for adopting a racially/ethnically aware cultural lens when conceptualizing mental health risk and resilience among student-athletes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008603 Mental Health Emotional, psychological, and social well-being of an individual or group. Mental Hygiene,Health, Mental,Hygiene, Mental
D005006 Ethnicity A group of people with a common cultural heritage that sets them apart from others in a variety of social relationships. Ethnic Groups,Nationality,Ethnic Group,Nationalities
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013334 Students Individuals enrolled in a school or formal educational program. School Enrollment,Enrollment, School,Enrollments, School,School Enrollments,Student
D014481 United States A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D014495 Universities Educational institutions providing facilities for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic degrees. University
D056352 Athletes Individuals who have developed skills, physical stamina and strength or participants in SPORTS or other physical activities. College Athletes,Elite Athletes,Professional Athletes,Athlete,Athlete, College,Athlete, Elite,Athlete, Professional,Athletes, College,Athletes, Elite,Athletes, Professional,College Athlete,Elite Athlete,Professional Athlete

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