Mental health symptoms and disorders in Paralympic athletes: a narrative review

Swartz, Leslie; Hunt, Xanthe; Bantjes, Jason; Hainline, Brian; Reardon, Claudia L.

doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-100731

Cited by 55 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…Research has shown that sport participation enhanced self and social acceptance, identity development, and quality of life. Paralympians did not view themselves as having lost something, as being disabled, nor as supercrips, which support the Affirmation Model of Disability (Pack et al, 2017 ; Swartz et al, 2019 ). In contrast, Huang and Brittain ( 2006 ) reported that most Paralympians assigned their impairment as their “master identity status” instead of AI, which follows the medical model.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Paralympic-level athletes already face challenges including overtraining and injury, normalized pain, and health hazards (Fagher et al, 2016 ). Moreover, they continue to struggle with external barriers such as lack of sufficient adaptive sport facilities, as well as logistical hurdles in travel to competition sites (Swartz et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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U.S. Paralympic Hopeful's Athletic Identity and How It Has Been Affected by the Sport Disruption of COVID-19

Mendoza

Cabador

et al. 2021

Front. Sports Act. Living

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The purpose of this study was to explore the status of Paralympic hopefuls' athletic identity and how this identity was impacted by the training and competition cessation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews that explored the experiences of 29 Paralympic hopefuls who compete in thirteen different Paralympic sports. A thematic analysis yielded two superordinate themes: a) Prominent athletic identity, multiplicity over exclusivity; b) Various Impact on AI: Mental adaptation helps overcome the lack of sport participation. Participants in this study possessed prominent strong athletic identities from the benefits of sport participation. Their prioritized athletic role still remains despite setbacks due to the pandemic. However, athletes identified with multiple roles rather than an exclusive athletic identity during COVID-19. As for the impacts on identity, the severity of challenges are determined by the mindset of the athletes. All of the athletes experienced a decreased amount of time and physical participation in their sport. Paralympians whose sole focus was on the loss of physical participation were impacted the most. Athletes who felt unchallenged did so because of their mental adaptation. Through a positive outlook and mentality, athletes were able to effectively cope and not dwell on the negative aspects brought on by the pandemic. In conclusion, having a strong AI did not necessarily coincide with a negative impact on identity from COVID-19, and those who do not possess a strong AI felt their AI was unchallenged by the pandemic. More importantly, Paralympians' mindset of how they view and interpret their AI is crucial to how the individual's AI is affected by the sport disruption of COVID-19.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

U.S. Paralympic Hopeful's Athletic Identity and How It Has Been Affected by the Sport Disruption of COVID-19

Mendoza

Cabador

et al. 2021

Front. Sports Act. Living

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“…38 The APSQ is a brief, self-report rating scale specific to the sport context and relying on 10 items (eg, 'During the past 4 weeks, I could not stop worrying about injury or my performance') scored on a 5-point scale (from 'none of the time' (1) to 'all of the time' (5)). 37 A total score ranging from 10 to 50 is calculated by summing the answers on the 10 items, with a score of 17 or more indicating an elevated or high risk for psychological distress. 38 39 The APSQ has been validated in male and female athletes (area under curve value >0.90).…”

Section: The Sport Mental Health Assessment Toolmentioning

confidence: 99%

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1): towards better support of athletes’ mental health

et al. 2020

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ObjectivesTo develop an assessment and recognition tool to identify elite athletes at risk for mental health symptoms and disorders.MethodsWe conducted narrative and systematic reviews about mental health symptoms and disorders in active and former elite athletes. The views of active and former elite athletes (N=360) on mental health symptoms in elite sports were retrieved through an electronic questionnaire. Our group identified the objective(s), target group(s) and approach of the mental health tools. For the assessment tool, we undertook a modified Delphi consensus process and used existing validated screening instruments. Both tools were compiled during two 2-day meeting. We also explored the appropriateness and preliminary reliability and validity of the assessment tool.Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) was developed for sports medicine physicians and other licensed/registered health professionals to assess elite athletes (defined as professional, Olympic, Paralympic or collegiate level; aged 16 years and older) potentially at risk for or already experiencing mental health symptoms and disorders. The SMHAT-1 consists of: (i) triage with an athlete-specific screening tool, (ii) six subsequent disorder-specific screening tools and (iii) a clinical assessment (and related management) by a sports medicine physician or licensed/registered mental health professional (eg, psychiatrist and psychologist). The International Olympic Committee Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1) was developed for athletes and their entourage (eg, friends, fellow athletes, family and coaches).ConclusionThe SMHAT-1 and SMHRT-1 enable that mental health symptoms and disorders in elite athletes are recognised earlier than they otherwise would. These tools should facilitate the timely referral of those athletes in need for appropriate support and treatment.

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“…The lack of support from support staff in certain situations, such as following poor race performances, was also raised. Elite para-athletes can experience both sport and disability-specific stressors which can affect wellbeing and performance, with the process of reclassification being particularly traumatic and isolating, further demonstrating the need for appropriate mental health support from British para-swimming staff [2,14,[66][67][68].…”

Section: British Para-swimmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Paralympic Games is regarded as the pinnacle of para-sport and is the second largest global multi-sport event [1][2][3][4]. The profile and popularity of the Games has increased considerably since inception, with over 4000 athletes participating at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The podium illusion: a phenomenological study of the influence of social support on well-being and performance in elite para swimmers

Aitchison

Rushton

Martin

et al. 2021

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil

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Background The value of social support in enhancing performance is well established in non-impaired and sub-international level athletes with impairments. Despite this, no research to date has explored the experiences of social support in elite para-athletes. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of social support in elite British para-swimmers and the influence on their wellbeing and performance. Methods A hermeneutic phenomenological study involving semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 8 elite British para-swimmers (3 male, 5 female, mean age 24.9 years). Participants represented 5 para-swimming classes and all 10 of the International Paralympic Committee impairment categories. Data were analysed following a modified version of the Framework Method. Research quality and trustworthiness were ensured through employing techniques including data triangulation, member checking and reflexivity. Results Five themes and 11 sub-themes were generated. The five themes were: ‘the coach-athlete relationship’, ‘team bond’, ‘tangible aid’, ‘The Podium Illusion’ and ‘British para-swimming’. The overall findings and the magnitude of support mentioned in the fourth theme led to the development of a new model called ‘The Podium Illusion’ which reflects the magnitude of support that is available to elite para-swimmers to help maximise their performance and wellbeing. Conclusion Social support is essential for athlete wellbeing and performance. Findings underpin a new model, ‘The Podium Illusion’.

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Mental health symptoms and disorders in Paralympic athletes: a narrative review

Cited by 55 publications

References 35 publications

U.S. Paralympic Hopeful's Athletic Identity and How It Has Been Affected by the Sport Disruption of COVID-19

U.S. Paralympic Hopeful's Athletic Identity and How It Has Been Affected by the Sport Disruption of COVID-19

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool 1 (SMHAT-1) and Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1 (SMHRT-1): towards better support of athletes’ mental health

The podium illusion: a phenomenological study of the influence of social support on well-being and performance in elite para swimmers

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