An Examination of the Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine on Mental Health in College Athletes
Session Title
The College Experience / Health and Wellness 2
College
College of Education
Department
Physical Education, Sport & Human Performance
Abstract
Mental health has become an emphasis in the well-being of college athletes. Many athletes have reported abnormal levels of depression and anxiety, which may affect quality of life and total mental health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the relationships between depression, anxiety, quality of life, and total mental health among college student athletes through a cross-sectional secondary data analysis. We further examined differences in these relationships among groups of gender and race, and between those that have been quarantined from exposure to the Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and those that have not. From the primary study, a sample of 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, Division I college athletes completed self-report measures on the variables. Data was analyzed through one-way ANOVA and post hoc means using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, SPSS. There was a significant inverse relationship between the variables of anxiety and depression on both quality of life and total mental health. Results showed a significantly higher impact of anxiety on total mental health for collegiate student athletes who have had to quarantine for COVID-19 versus those that did not (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the relationships between the other groups. These results suggest that while anxiety and depression have a significant impact on quality of life for the group, those that had to quarantine are at an increased risk of lower quality of life and total mental health.
Start Date
15-4-2022 12:00 PM
An Examination of the Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine on Mental Health in College Athletes
Mental health has become an emphasis in the well-being of college athletes. Many athletes have reported abnormal levels of depression and anxiety, which may affect quality of life and total mental health. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the relationships between depression, anxiety, quality of life, and total mental health among college student athletes through a cross-sectional secondary data analysis. We further examined differences in these relationships among groups of gender and race, and between those that have been quarantined from exposure to the Coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and those that have not. From the primary study, a sample of 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, Division I college athletes completed self-report measures on the variables. Data was analyzed through one-way ANOVA and post hoc means using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, SPSS. There was a significant inverse relationship between the variables of anxiety and depression on both quality of life and total mental health. Results showed a significantly higher impact of anxiety on total mental health for collegiate student athletes who have had to quarantine for COVID-19 versus those that did not (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the relationships between the other groups. These results suggest that while anxiety and depression have a significant impact on quality of life for the group, those that had to quarantine are at an increased risk of lower quality of life and total mental health.
