Psychology

From Passion to Abyss: The Mental Health of Athletes during COVID-19 Lockdown

L. Pitacho, P. J. D. Palma, et al.

This study by Liliana Pitacho, Patrícia Jardim Da Palma, Pedro Correia, and João Pedro Cordeiro reveals the distressing impact of the COVID-19 sports lockdown on the psychological health of Portuguese athletes. With high stress, low subjective happiness, and widespread sleep disorders, the findings emphasize the urgent need for support in these challenging times.

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~3 min • Beginner • English

Index

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns imposed extreme isolation and the suspension of sports activities. This study assessed the psychological health of athletes during the sports lockdown and examined whether sleep disorders mediate the relationship between perceived stress and subjective happiness. A sample of 1,492 Portuguese team-sport athletes was surveyed. During lockdown, athletes reported high stress, low subjective happiness, and significant sleep disorders, indicating harm to psychological health and well-being. Pay cuts emerged as an additional stressor exacerbating adverse psychological outcomes. Sleep disorders partially mediated the negative association between stress and subjective happiness. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Publisher

European Journal of Investigative Health Psychology and Education

Published On

Mar 14, 2023

Authors

Liliana Pitacho, Patrícia Jardim Da Palma, Pedro Correia, João Pedro Cordeiro

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