Elite Youth Athletes’ Mental Health and Its Relationship with the Talent Development Environment: A Variable- and Person-Centred Approach

Cao, Xingni; Martindale, Russell; Cho, Heetae; Li, Chunxiao

Abstract

The present research sought to examine the prevalence of elite youth athletes’ mental health and its relationship with talent development environments (TDEs). A sample of 248 Chinese elite youth athletes completed a self-report survey measuring demographic variables, TDE factors, and mental health outcomes including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, and athlete burnout. The results revealed moderate levels of burnout, with 19% of the participants meeting the diagnostic cut-off of GAD, and similar numbers for depression. The multiple regression analysis revealed alignment of expectations was the only TDE factor to significantly predict GAD and depression. Holistic quality preparation was the only significant TDE predictor of burnout. The results of cluster analysis suggested a three cluster solution: cluster 1 — “slightly below average TDE”, cluster 2 — “high TDE”, and cluster 3 — “very low TDE”. Among the three clusters, cluster 2 had the lowest levels of GAD, depression, and burnout. Cluster 3 reported a higher burnout level than cluster 1, and the two clusters showed no differences in other two mental health outcomes. These findings suggest a need to manage mental health symptoms of elite youth athletes and the roles of TDE could be considered in the management of mental health.

Citation

Cao, X., Martindale, R., Cho, H., & Li, C. (2023). Elite Youth Athletes’ Mental Health and Its Relationship with the Talent Development Environment: A Variable- and Person-Centred Approach. Journal of Sports Science, 41(7), 706-714. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2235162

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 3, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 15, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 16, 2024
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-447X
• Publisher: David Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 706-714
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2023.2235162
• Keywords: talent development, environmental factor, psychological health, sport