Self-reported depressive symptoms in active and retired professional hockey players.

Abstract

This study presents data on self-reported depressive symptoms in active and retired professional hockey players and examines psychosocial factors related to depressive symptoms. Data were derived from an online survey that was sent to 1,276 active players and approximately 4,000 retired players in the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA). A total of 409 participants completed the survey, representing 56% of those who opened the survey link. In our sample, retired players reported moderate to very severe levels of depressive symptoms at nearly twice the rate of active players, and at rates higher than those reported for the general population. For both retired and active players, greater normative male alexithymia (NMA) was associated with greater depressive symptoms. Compared with active players, retired players perceived themselves as having lower social support from their family and friends, and across the entire sample, lower perceived social support was related to greater depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that preventative mental health interventions targeting NMA and access to social support may benefit retired professional hockey players and those transitioning to retirement.

Alexithymia and Athletic Performance: Beneficial or Deleterious, Both Sides of the Medal? A Systematic Review

“…Results appeared different, depending on samples and conditions. In the study by Aston et al [ 30 ], for retired and active hockey players, greater alexithymia was associated with greater depressive symptoms. Medina-Porqueres et al [ 31 ] showed that seniors who are physically active have lower results in alexithymia and depression scores than those who are not physically active.…”

An Association between Alexithymia and the Characteristics of Sport Practice: A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Study

“…Here, our results are in line with those of Aston et al, regarding both retired and active hockey players. In fact, more pronounced alexithymia was associated with greater depressive symptoms [ 29 ]. We know now that depression acts as a strong moderator between alexithymic features and psychopathology.…”

‘Falling Upward’ into Sports Retirement: A Rohrsian Exploration of the Sports Retirement Experience

“…A range of problematic psychological outcomes often accompany athletic career cessation, these include emotional distress, depression, feelings of loss and isolation, diminished subjective well-being and identity disruption (Aston et al 2020). More recently, these outcomes have been tied to formative sports contexts (Stambulova et al 2020), and sports psychology researchers have suggested that retirement from sport is less problematic when it is planned as a process (with the support of others), rather than if it occurs as a sudden event, for example, as a result of injury or de-selection (Esopenko et al 2020;Lally 2007;Park et al 2013), as well as in scenarios where athletes align with a purpose-based identity rather than a performance-based identity-that is, an identity that is more vulnerable to contingency-based self-esteem issues (Houltberg et al 2018).…”