094 Promotion of para athlete well-being in South Africa (the PROPEL studies), part III: factors associated with mental health. (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Badenhorst, Marelise; Runciman, Phoebe; Brown, James Craig; Derman, Wayne
• Is Part Of: British journal of sports medicine. Volume 54(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A41
• Page End: A42
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: Sports medicine -- Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-IOCAbstracts.94
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-3674

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Para athletes may have specific mental health challenges that, together with the demands of high-level sports performance, could put them at risk for mental health disorders. However, research in this population is limited. Objective: To investigate factors associated with mental health in South African para athletes. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. Setting: National to international level athletes competing in the 2019 National Championships. Patients (or Participants): A total of 124 athletes (93 males; 31 females) with a mean age 26.7 (±9.2) were included in the study. Interventions (or assessment of risk factors): Demographic, medical history and sleep-related variables were included in bivariate analyses to assess their association with mental health. Between-group differences were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U or T-tests. Variables significantly associated in the bivariate analyses were included in multiple regression analyses for mental health. Main outcome measurements: Mental health was measured with the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10 Questionnaire). Sleep quality, sleepiness and chronotype were measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness scale and Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ-SA). Results: The model explained 40% of the variance in mental health (F=12.04, p<0.001) in these athletes. Compared to athletes with 'good' sleep quality, K-10 and STAI scores were significantly higher (indicating poorer mental health) in athletes with 'poor' sleep quality ( U =2.6, p <0.001; t(116.8)=-4.30, p<0.001). 'Poor' sleep quality (B:0.8; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.3), moderate to severe daytime sleepiness (B:4.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 7.3) intermediate (B:3.5 95% CI 0.4 to 6.6) and evening chronotypes (B:12.0 95% CI 5.0 to 19.1), the presence of allergies (B:3.9 95% CI 0.1 to 7.6) and male gender (B:3.3 95% CI 0.1 to 6.5) were most strongly associated with high STAI scores. Conclusions: This study has identified novel factors associated with poor mental health in elite para athletes. As some of these factors are modifiable, further research towards prevention strategies is warranted.