Life on an Emotional Roller Coaster: NFL Players and Their Family Members’ Perspectives on Player Mental Health
in Journal of Clinical Sport PsychologyClick name to view affiliation
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This qualitative study examined how NFL players and their family members characterized the impact of an NFL career on the mental and emotional health of NFL players. We interviewed 25 NFL players (23 former and 2 current) and 27 family members (24 wives and 3 others) to elicit players’ experiences during and following their time in the NFL. While players experienced positive outcomes from their careers, they also described important mental health challenges including feelings of depression, loneliness, and stress. Many of their concerns during their careers were linked to anxiety about job performance and job security. Post-career concerns were linked to loss of social identity and connections. Players had difficulty finding help for their concerns. We conclude with eight recommendations, including improved resources, confidentiality, and support.
McGraw is with The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY. From 2014–2017, Deubert, Lynch, and Cohen were with the Law & Ethics Initiative of the Football Players Health Study at Harvard University, Boston, MA. Cohen is at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics, Harvard Law School, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Deubert is now at Berg & Androphy, New York, NY. Nozzolillo is with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Taylor is with the Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Fernandez-Lynch is with the Dept. of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
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