Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health
IntroductionNumerous factors have been identified that potentially influence athletes' mental health. Given the predominant focus in the literature on athletes' mental health risk factors, our study aimed to explore elite athletes' perceptions of factors associated with their mental h...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1451617/full |
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| author | Andreas Küttel Louise K. Storm Natalia Stambulova Kristoffer Henriksen |
| author_facet | Andreas Küttel Louise K. Storm Natalia Stambulova Kristoffer Henriksen |
| author_sort | Andreas Küttel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionNumerous factors have been identified that potentially influence athletes' mental health. Given the predominant focus in the literature on athletes' mental health risk factors, our study aimed to explore elite athletes' perceptions of factors associated with their mental health and thriving based on the combination of holistic developmental and ecological approaches.MethodsSeven Danish international elite athletes representing diverse sports were interviewed twice. The initial interview delved into their retrospective perspectives on career and mental health development, while the subsequent interview, conducted two months later, centered on recent events.ResultsThematic analysis yielded a map outlining four overarching themes. Elite sport was perceived as a (1) relentless performance context marked by rigorous demands, which evoked (2) personal reactions among athletes characterized by heightened expectations, self-blame, and anxiety. In response to these challenging demands, athletes have cultivated (3) coping resources and strategies over the course of their careers, such as self-reflection, emphasis on recovery, planning and prioritization skills, and passion for their sport. Nonetheless, the development of these resources and strategies was a gradual process, often informed by past experiences of mental health difficulties during adolescence. Additionally, they have found support for their mental health within a (4) nurturing environment consisting of supportive coaching, camaraderie among teammates, guidance from experts, and caring relationships.DiscussionThe findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of factors affecting mental health and emphasize the need for creating supportive environments that help athletes manage the intense demands of elite sport. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a10c469aad374a889b51bac63246fe75 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-a10c469aad374a889b51bac63246fe752024-11-27T04:22:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672024-11-01610.3389/fspor.2024.14516171451617Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental healthAndreas Küttel0Louise K. Storm1Natalia Stambulova2Kristoffer Henriksen3Department of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkDepartment of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkSchool of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, SwedenDepartment of Sport Sciences and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, DenmarkIntroductionNumerous factors have been identified that potentially influence athletes' mental health. Given the predominant focus in the literature on athletes' mental health risk factors, our study aimed to explore elite athletes' perceptions of factors associated with their mental health and thriving based on the combination of holistic developmental and ecological approaches.MethodsSeven Danish international elite athletes representing diverse sports were interviewed twice. The initial interview delved into their retrospective perspectives on career and mental health development, while the subsequent interview, conducted two months later, centered on recent events.ResultsThematic analysis yielded a map outlining four overarching themes. Elite sport was perceived as a (1) relentless performance context marked by rigorous demands, which evoked (2) personal reactions among athletes characterized by heightened expectations, self-blame, and anxiety. In response to these challenging demands, athletes have cultivated (3) coping resources and strategies over the course of their careers, such as self-reflection, emphasis on recovery, planning and prioritization skills, and passion for their sport. Nonetheless, the development of these resources and strategies was a gradual process, often informed by past experiences of mental health difficulties during adolescence. Additionally, they have found support for their mental health within a (4) nurturing environment consisting of supportive coaching, camaraderie among teammates, guidance from experts, and caring relationships.DiscussionThe findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of factors affecting mental health and emphasize the need for creating supportive environments that help athletes manage the intense demands of elite sport.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1451617/fullmental healthelite sportqualitativeprotective and risk factorsenvironment |
| spellingShingle | Andreas Küttel Louise K. Storm Natalia Stambulova Kristoffer Henriksen Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health Frontiers in Sports and Active Living mental health elite sport qualitative protective and risk factors environment |
| title | Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| title_full | Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| title_fullStr | Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| title_full_unstemmed | Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| title_short | Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| title_sort | threatening and nurturing mental health insights from danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health |
| topic | mental health elite sport qualitative protective and risk factors environment |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1451617/full |
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