Looking forward to student-athlete mental health: Racial/ethnic trends from 2010 to 2015. Issue 8 (17th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tran, Alisia G. T. T.
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 69:Issue 8(2021)
• Page Start: 942
• Page End: 950
• Publication Date: 2021-11-17
• Subjects: Anxiety -- depression -- disparities -- ethnicity -- mental health -- race -- student-athlete -- suicide; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1725018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study examined trends in functionally impairing depression, significant anxiety, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts among college student-athletes across time, racial/ethnic group, and student-athlete standing. Participants: The sample consisted of 39, 840 White, Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Multiracial students who reported participating in "varsity" level college athletics in the past 12 months during the Spring 2010-2015 administrations of the American College of Health Association National College Health Assessment II. Methods: Chi-square and difference in proportion tests compared mental health rates across time, racial/ethnic groups, and student-athlete status (student-athlete versus non-athlete). Results: Findings suggested a lack of differences in mental health rates between 2010 and 2015, with the exception of a higher rate of anxiety for White student-athletes in 2015. Racial/ethnic comparisons pointed to relatively consistent heightened risks for depression and suicide concerns among Asian/Pacific Islander and Multiracial student-athletes compared to White student-athletes. Student-athlete status appeared most consistently to benefit White student-athletes, whereas there was evidence of potential liability of student-athlete status for Asian/Pacific Islander student-athletes. Conclusions: Results make the case for adopting a racially/ethnically aware cultural lens when conceptualizing mental health risk and resilience among student-athletes.