The Relationship of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Resilience with Previous History of Musculoskeletal Injury and Concussion in Intercollegiate Athletes

Presenter

Nathaniel Felix

Campus

Fitchburg State University

Sponsor

Karen A. Keenan, Department of Exercise and Sports Science, Fitchburg State University

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A82, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Student-athletes (SAs) encounter many stressors, including musculoskeletal injury (MSI) and sports-related concussions (SRC). Anxiety/depression symptoms (SA/SD) are common in SAs (higher rates in females) and are related to increased risk of MSI. Quarantine, isolation, online learning, etc. related to the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated these symptoms. Resilience may mitigate SA/SD and facilitate MSI/SRC recovery. 

PURPOSE(S): To examine: (1) the association between SA/SD and resilience; (2) the relationship between SA/SD/resilience and previous MSI/SRC; and (3) SA/SD/resilience/MSI/SRC and gender.

METHODS: During preseason, Division III fall sport SAs (N=101, 19.58±1.38yrs, 56.4% male, 43.6% female) completed the following surveys after providing written informed consent: demographic, General Anxiety Disorder-7, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and Conor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Retrospective MSI/SRC were extracted from Sportsware Online™ by an athletic trainer. Survey composite scores were calculated and MSI/SRC were coded (yes/no). Descriptive statistics/data analyses were conducted using SPSS (v.29, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Data were assessed for normality and Spearman-Rank/point biserial correlations used. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05, a priori.

RESULTS: There was a significant positive relationship between SAs and SD (r_s(99) = 0.804), and were significant negative correlations between SA/SD and resilience (r_s(99) = -0.507; r_s(99) = -0.606, respectively; all p<0.001). There were no significant correlations between outcome variables and sex. [MSI/SRC: analyses pending]

SIGNIFICANCE: Increasing resilience in SAs may mitigate SA/SD and facilitate MSI/SRC recovery, potentially improving overall mental health and sports performance in intercollegiate athletes.

Keywords

COVID-19 , Injury Prevention, Mental Health, NCAA, Risk Factors

Research Area

Sports and Exercise Science + Physiology

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