An Examination of the Effects of COVID-19 Quarantine on Mental Health in College Athletes

Submitting Student(s)

Terrik Johnson

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

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 15th, 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.