Strong But Do They Ask for Help? Mental Health of Young Athletes

Author(s)

Blanka Napsugár Szabó, -1, Ilona Karácsony, BSc, MSc, PhD2, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD3, Annamaria Pakai, MSc, RN, PhD4.
1Báthory István Practice Grammar School and Primary School, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Midwifery and Health Visiting, University of Pécs, Szombathely, Hungary, 3Institute for Health Insurance, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary, 4Institute of Emergency Care, Pedagogy of Health and Nursing Sciences, University of Pécs Faculty of Health Science, Szombathely, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the psychological well-being (self-esteem, anxiety) and help-seeking attitudes of young competitive athletes aged 14-18.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2025. Using non-random, purposive sampling, the target group consisted of seventy-two young athletes aged 14-20 who actively compete in various sports. Data collection was conducted anonymously via an online self-administered questionnaire. The survey included sociodemographic data, sleep habits, and the following measurement tools: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Flourishing Scale, and the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (χ² test, correlation, t-test) with IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0.1 (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The average age was 16.41 years; 54.2% of the sample were boys and 45.8% were girls. While 45.8% were satisfied with their weekday sleep duration, 88.9% were satisfied with their weekend sleep. However, 36.1% reported difficulties falling asleep in the evening. Most respondents (56.9%) did not seek support from a sports psychologist, while others did so with the help of sports clubs (16.7%), family funding (2.8%), previously on their own (1.4%), through school mental health professionals (1.4%), or occasionally (1.4%). Age showed a weak positive correlation with self-esteem and anxiety levels (p<0.05). No significant gender differences were found in self-esteem, anxiety, or mental help-seeking scores (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the importance of supporting young athletes’ mental health and implementing interventions to improve sleep quality to promote psychological well-being.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland

Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2

Code

EPH219

Topic

Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care

Topic Subcategory

Public Health

Disease

Mental Health (including addition)

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