A1 Journal article (refereed)
Mental health in student-athletes in Norwegian lower secondary sport schools (2024)
Saarinen, M., Phipps, D. J., & Bjørndal, C. T. (2024). Mental health in student-athletes in Norwegian lower secondary sport schools. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(2), Article e001955. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001955
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Saarinen, Milla; Phipps, Daniel John; Bjørndal, Christian Thue
Journal or series: BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine
eISSN: 2055-7647
Publication year: 2024
Volume: 10
Issue number: 2
Article number: e001955
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001955
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/94905
Abstract
The Norwegian sport school system offers a method for helping young dual-career athletes achieve their best both in academia and sports. However, there remains a concern that pursuing dual careers at a young age may leave some student-athletes vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between gender, grade, and sport type and problematic scores on school burn-out, sport burn-out, self-esteem and psychological distress in student-athletes within a sample of Norwegian lower secondary schools.
Methods
A sample of 642 student-athletes (ages 12–14) in grades 8–10 across 8 Norwegian lower secondary sport schools completed questionnaires on burn-out, self-esteem and psychological distress at the beginning of the school year.
Results
Females were more likely to report high levels of sport-related burn-out and psychological distress, and low self-esteem; older student-athletes were more likely to report severe school-related and sport-related burn-out; and individual sport student-athletes were more likely to report high levels of psychological distress.
Conclusions
Lower secondary sport schools in Norway may seek to be aware of the challenges facing student-athletes for informed practical steps to protect their mental health and maximise their outcomes as school students and athletes.
Keywords: mental health; athletes; sports; competitive sports; schools of sports education; young people; stress (biological phenomena); psychological strain; exhaustion; feeling of inferiority
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Preliminary JUFO rating: 1
