Profiles of Mental Well- and Ill-Being Among Elite Athletes: Associations With Sport-Related Demands and Resources

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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Satu Kaski UTHA Ltd., Helsinki, Finland

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Monna Arvinen-Barrow University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA

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Ulla Kinnunen Faculty of Social Sciences (Psychology), Tampere University, Tampere, Finland

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Jari Parkkari Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Tampere, Finland

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2021-0083
Keywords:
mental health symptoms; eating disorder; alcohol abuse; life satisfaction; positive functioning
First Published Online:
04 Aug 2022
In Print:
Ahead of Print
Page Range:
1–19
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The aim of the present study was to identify profiles of elite athlete mental well- and ill-being and study how the profiles (i.e., subgroups of athletes) differed in sport-related demands and resources. A total of 259 Finnish elite athletes (n = 170 active and n = 89 retired) completed quantitative self-report inventories. Through cluster analysis, four profiles of mental well- and ill-being were identified. Profile 1 was overrepresented by retired, older, and male athletes, and characterized by good mental well-being. Profile 2 consisted mainly of active athletes who reported mild risk for alcohol abuse. Profile 3 consisted mainly of women who displayed possible presence of an eating disorder. Profile 4 was typical of young athletes with mental ill-being. The balance between sport-related demands and resources appeared to be the healthiest in Profile 1 and worst in Profile 4. The present findings are beneficial for those who work with and/or provide psychological support to athletes.

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Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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