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Review
Mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes: a scoping review
  1. Kate Gwyther1,2,
  2. Vita Pilkington1,2,
  3. Alan P Bailey1,
  4. Margo Mountjoy3,
  5. Michael F Bergeron4,
  6. Simon M Rice1,2,
  7. Rosemary Purcell1,2
  1. 1 Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. 2 Elite Sports and Mental Health, Orygen, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. 3 Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  4. 4 Performance Health, WTA Women’s Tennis Association, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
  1. Correspondence to Kate Gwyther; kate.gwyther{at}orygen.org.au

Abstract

Background There is increasing recognition of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health symptoms and disorders among adult elite athletes, with less research involving elite youth athletes. This scoping review aimed to characterise the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes who travel internationally and compete for their sport.

Method Four databases were searched in March 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with elite youth athlete populations (mean age 12–17 years) reporting mental health and well-being outcomes. Data from included studies were charted by outcome, and risk/protective factors identified.

Results Searches retrieved 3088 records, of which 33 studies met inclusion criteria, encapsulating data from 5826 athletes (2538 males, 3288 females). The most frequently studied issue was disordered eating (k=16), followed by anxiety (k=7), depression (k=5) and mixed anxiety/depression (k=2). Caseness estimates (a symptom level where mental health treatment is typically indicated) for disordered eating were wide ranging (0%–14% for males; 11%–41% for females), whereas only two studies estimated caseness for depression (7% in a mixed-sex sample; 14% for males, 40% for females) and one for anxiety (8% for males, 28% for females). Common risk factors for mental ill-health included sex, athlete status (compared with non-athletes) and social/relationship factors (with coaches/parents/peers). Contradictory evidence was observed for elite/competition level, which was associated with higher and lower rates of disordered eating.

Conclusion Further representative research into the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes is needed to enhance understanding and guide prevention and intervention measures.

  • Athletes
  • Adolescent
  • Health promotion
  • Psychology, Sports

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108244

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    Footnotes

    • X @Vita_Pilkington, @margo.mountjoy, @DrMBergeron_01

    • Contributors All authors made substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work (KG, RP, MM and MFB), or the acquisition, analysis or interpretation of data for the work (KG, APB, VP and SR). All authors were involved in drafting or critically revising the manuscript and approved the final version for publication. All authors are accountable for aspects of the work. KG is the corresponding author and guarantor. There were no other contributors.

    • Funding The scoping review was supported by a small grant from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for research assistant and search methodologist support. The IOC also supported the travel for MM, MFB and RP to attend the in-person IOC Expert Consensus Meeting on Elite Youth Athletes in May 2023, at which the preliminary results of the scoping review were presented. SR was supported by a Dame Kate Campbell Fellowship from the University of Melbourne.

    • Competing interests MM is the deputy editor of the BJSM and a member of the editorial board for the BJSM Injury Prevention & Health Promotion Journal.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.