The mental wellbeing of current and retired professional cricketers: an observational prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: Scientific knowledge about symptoms of common mental disorders in professional cricket is non-existent. Consequently, the aims of the study were to determine the prevalence and the 6 months incidence of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD: distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, adverse alcohol use) among current and former professional cricketers and to explore the association of potential stressors (significant injury, surgery, adverse life events, career dissatisfaction) and CMD. Methods: An observational prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 6 months was conducted among current and former professional cricketers from South Africa. Using validated questionnaires to assess symptoms of common mental disorders as well as several stressors, an electronic questionnaire was set up and distributed by the South African Cricketers Association (SACA). Results: A total of 116 participants enrolled at baseline (overall response rate of 33%) and 76 of those participants completed the 6 month follow-up (follow up rate of 66%). The prevalence of symptoms of CMD in current professional cricketers was 38% for distress, 38% for sleep disturbance, 37% for anxiety/ depression and 26% for adverse alcohol use. Among former professional cricketers, baseline prevalence as was 26% for distress, 24% for anxiety/depression, 21% for sleep disturbance and 22% for adverse alcohol use. Career dissatisfaction led to an increased risk of distress, anxiety/depression and sleep disturbance in current professional cricketers. Surgeries and adverse life events led to an increase in reported symptoms of distress and anxiety/depression in current professional cricketers. Conclusions: It was concluded that symptoms of CMD are prevalent in both current and former professional cricketers and the association with surgery, adverse life events and cricket career dissatisfaction may provide some insight into possible mechanisms. ARTICLE HISTORY

Occurrence of mental health symptoms and disorders in current and former elite athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…From these, 54 studies were excluded for various reasons (not in English: n=1; not an original study: n=5; not including only current or former elite athletes: n=22; not presenting an adequate outcome measure: n=26). The reference check of the included studies resulted in three additional relevant studies 12–14. Consequently, our systematic review includes 34 original studies: 18 including exclusively current elite athletes,12 13 15–30 11 including exclusively former elite athletes31–41 and four including both current and former elite athletes 14 42–44.…”

“…Based on our meta-analysis, we found that 19.6% (95%CI: 16.0 to 23.3) of elite athletes reported symptoms of distress (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=77.1, P<0.001, ^2=85.7%). Ten studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of sleep disturbance among 4782 elite athletes from various sports:12–16 21 23 29 43 44 meta-analysis revealed that 26.4% (95%CI: 21.6 to 31.2) of elite athletes reported symptoms of sleep disturbance (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=133.651, P<0.001, ^2=92.518%). Nine studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of anxiety/depression (not differentiated) among 2895 elite athletes from various sports:12–14 19 21 23 42–44 meta-analysis showed that 33.6% (95%CI: 27.4 to 39.7) of elite athletes reported symptoms of anxiety/depression (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=109.737, P<0.001, ^2=91.799%).…”

“…Ten studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of sleep disturbance among 4782 elite athletes from various sports:12–16 21 23 29 43 44 meta-analysis revealed that 26.4% (95%CI: 21.6 to 31.2) of elite athletes reported symptoms of sleep disturbance (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=133.651, P<0.001, ^2=92.518%). Nine studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of anxiety/depression (not differentiated) among 2895 elite athletes from various sports:12–14 19 21 23 42–44 meta-analysis showed that 33.6% (95%CI: 27.4 to 39.7) of elite athletes reported symptoms of anxiety/depression (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=109.737, P<0.001, ^2=91.799%). Eleven studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of alcohol misuse among 5555 elite athletes from various sports:12–14 17 21 23 26 29 42–44 meta-analysis revealed that 18.8% (95%CI: 11.1 to 26.5) of elite athletes reported symptoms of alcohol misuse (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=910.896, P<0.001, ^2=98.792%).…”

“…Nine studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of anxiety/depression (not differentiated) among 2895 elite athletes from various sports:12–14 19 21 23 42–44 meta-analysis showed that 33.6% (95%CI: 27.4 to 39.7) of elite athletes reported symptoms of anxiety/depression (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=109.737, P<0.001, ^2=91.799%). Eleven studies reported prevalence data on symptoms of alcohol misuse among 5555 elite athletes from various sports:12–14 17 21 23 26 29 42–44 meta-analysis revealed that 18.8% (95%CI: 11.1 to 26.5) of elite athletes reported symptoms of alcohol misuse (high between-study heterogeneity: Q=910.896, P<0.001, ^2=98.792%). All meta-analyses and pooled estimates for data in current elite athletes are presented in figure 2.…”

Preliminary psychometric validation of a brief screening tool for athlete mental health among male elite athletes: the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire

“…Data from elite athletes experiencing distress highlights a tendency for some to conceal difficulties from coaching staff and teammates (Doherty, Hannigan, & Campbell, 2016). Additionally, elite athletes who engage in externalising coping strategies, such as problematic alcohol use (Gouttebarge et al, 2018;O'brien, Blackie, & Hunter, 2005;Schuring, Kerkhoffs, Gray, & Gouttebarge, 2017) may experience these coping responses as ineffective in the longer term, potentially enhancing psychological distress through cascading problems associated with heavy substance use.…”