%0 Journal Article
%T Mental health interventions for elite-level athletes in a sport-specific context: a systematic review
%J American journal of health education
%D 2022
%A Delfin, Danae
%A Gray, Haleigh
%A Wilkerson, Amanda H.
%V 53
%N 5
%P 297-311
%X Background Athletes comprise a unique population for mental health (MH) interventions given their increased physical and mental demands paired with the closed culture of athletics.<br><br>PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the quality and effectiveness of MH interventions administered within a sport-specific context for varying levels of elite athletes.<br><br>METHODS Studies published from January 2010 to March 2022 were identified using four databases: APA PsychInfo, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus. Inclusion was limited to intervention studies that targeted MH, well-being, or mindfulness; were administered in a sport-specific context; involved elite-level athletes; and assessed at least one MH-related outcome.<br><br>RESULTS Nine studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and recruited successful-elite (n = 3) and semi-elite (n = 6) athletes. Intervention activities included knowledge acquisition (n = 7), skills/mindfulness training (n = 6), and group discussion (n = 8). Statistically significant improvements in MH symptoms (n = 2), knowledge (n = 3), stigma (n = 3), and stress (n = 3) were reported.<br><br>DISCUSSION Intervention efficacy may be improved by aligning intended outcome(s), measurement tools, and modalities for a sport-specific context. Future research should consider larger sample sizes and examine individual versus team sport/between-sport differences.Translation to Health Education Practice Interventions appear to improve MH outcomes for athletic populations; however, inconsistencies with measurement tools and lack of utilization of theoretical frameworks exist.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Informa - Taylor and Francis Group
%@ 1932-5037
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2022.2105764