Exploring the impact of social identity and team dynamics on mental health help-seeking behavior among collegiate athletes: a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v58.106071Keywords:
Adolescent, Universities, Focus Groups, Students, AthletesAbstract
This study explores the influence of social identity and team dynamics on the mental health help-seeking behaviors of collegiate athletes. The research aims to understand how factors such as gender, ethnicity, and social status shape athletes' attitudes and actions regarding mental health assistance.
Method: Using a mixed-method approach that included focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews, data were collected from 30 athletes representing various sports disciplines, ensuring balanced representation in terms of gender, ethnicity, and social status.Result: Thematic analysis revealed significant themes: male athletes faced substantial stigma in seeking mental health assistance, viewing it as a sign of weakness, while female athletes were more open and supported by a culture of emotional expression. Minority athletes encountered additional barriers due to cultural stigma and a lack of culturally competent services, whereas majority athletes had better access to mental health resources. High-status athletes experienced pressure to maintain their image, leading to reluctance in seeking help, while low-status athletes faced challenges in accessing resources despite their willingness to seek help. Positive team dynamics, characterized by support and open communication, facilitated help-seeking behavior, while negative dynamics, such as bullying and lack of trust, created barriers. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for targeted interventions that address specific needs based on gender, ethnicity, and social status, promote mental health literacy, and foster supportive team environments. Future research should focus on the long-term effects of stigma-reduction interventions, culturally tailored mental health services, and the impact of team dynamics over time. These findings provide valuable insights for developing effective mental health support systems for collegiate athletes.
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Ethnicity, Health Literacy, Social Identification, Athletes, Bullying
References
Åkesdotter, C., Kenttä, G., & Sparkes, A. C. (2023). Elite athletes seeking psychiatric treatment: Stigma, impression management strategies, and the dangers of the performance narrative. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2185697
Baker, C. N., Strong, R. L., McCord, C. E., & Redwine, T. (2022). Evaluating the Effects of Social Capital, Self-Stigma, and Social Identity in Predicting Behavioral Intentions of Agricultural Producers to Seek Mental Health Assistance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12110. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912110
Barrio, M. R., Ley, C., Schomöller, A., & Dumon, D. (2021). Mental Well-Being or Ill-Being through Coaching in Adult Grassroots Sport: A Systematic Mapping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 6543. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH18126543
Beasley, L., & Hoffman, S. (2023). A Descriptive Look at the Mental Health Literacy of Student-Athletes. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 47(3), 256–276. https://doi.org/10.1177/01937235231171369
Bochkareva, S., Shutova, T. N., & Janzhugazyan, A. V. (2022). Psychological support of athletes (by the example of football). Chronos Journal, 7(11(73)), 45–48. https://doi.org/10.52013/2658-7556-73-11-13
Brown, K., Quinton, M. L., Tidmarsh, G., & Cumming, J. (2022). Athletes’ access to, attitudes towards and experiences of help-seeking for mental health: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 13(4), e062279–e062279. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062279
But-Husaim, U. U., Pirahova, L. A., Vasilevsky, S. S., Yarosh, A. S., Shemet, V. A., Sirytsyna, Y., & Varnel, E. (2023). Historical transformation of the athletes psychological support system and perspectives for its further development. Žurnal Grodnenskogo Gosudarstvennogo Medicinskogo Universiteta, 21(2), 185–190. https://doi.org/10.25298/2221-8785-2023-21-2-185-190
Derivaty Neo Alfenny, Wardani, F. P., Yulyantika, N. R., Qotrunnada, Q., Safira, R., Azizah, S. N., & Romadlona, N. A. (2023). Self Leadership: Unveiling the Key Strategies for Personal and Professional Empowerment at SMP Ma’arif Batu. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 1(2), 141–148.
Dewi, B. N., Dharma, G. W., Apriliani, P. N., Ananda, R., Rachmanissa, T., & Autentica, V. (2023). PODCASTS UTILIZATION THROUGH INSTAGRAM MEDIA IN INCREASING THE MOTIVATION OF THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION IN THE QUARTER. Inovasi Lokal: Keberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Pembangunan Berkelanjutan, 1(2), 102–108.
Eberman, L. E., Armstrong, T. A., Neil, E. R., Kirby, J. L., & Walker, S. E. (2023). Interprofessional Team Collaboration for Routine and Emergent Mental Health Concerns Among Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Case Series. Journal of Athletic Training. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0614.22
Edwards, B. S., Froehle, A. W., & Fagan, S. E. (2023). Trends in Collegiate Student-Athlete Mental Health in the National College Health Assessment, 2011-2019. Journal of Athletic Training, 58 4(4), 361–373. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0586.21
Ehrnstrom, C. (2023). The Interconnection of Mental Health and Academic Coaching: A Model for Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health in an Academic Coaching Context. About Campus, 28(1), 28–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/10864822231170551
Ernawati, N., Wulandari, E., Astuti, E. S., Solikhah, F. K., & Malang, P. K. (2023). ANALYSIS OF PREDISPOSING FACTORS RELATED TO MOTHERS WITH TODDLER’S VISIT TO INTEGRATED COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICE. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 1(2), 85–100.
Evi, N., Zahro, A. Z., Safitri, A., Nurshoba, A. M., Salsabila, M., Rizal, N. N. E., & Samudro, P. (2023). Prevention Of Child Stunting Through Maternal Education With Posyandu Cadres. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 1(2), 132–140.
Garrett, H. (2022). The Influence of Cultural Stigma on Perceptions of Mental Illness. https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.hsvn-s9jy
Gharibian, T., & McCarty-Caplan, D. M. (2022). Bonds and barriers: Mental health, service provision, and Middle Eastern/North African cultural identity in the U.S. Qualitative Social Work, 147332502211088–147332502211088. https://doi.org/10.1177/14733250221108829
Haslam, M., Ellis, S., & Plumridge, M. (2022). ‘It’s not you; it’s us!’: the relevance of mental health team psychodynamics to the care of individuals with complex emotional needs. British Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 11(2), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjmh.2021.0033
Kantar, A., & Yalçın, İ. (2023). Erkeklik ve Psikolojik Yardım Arama: Sosyal Kimlik Kuramı Temelli Bir Derleme. Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry, 15(4), 677–686. https://doi.org/10.18863/pgy.1227948
Leandre, A. D., Octavia, F. N., & Amelia, D. (2023). Increasing Adolescents’ Knowledge Regarding Juvenile Delinquency Using a Physical Activity Approach. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 1(2), 158–169.
Masfi, A., Ramadhan, M. P., Rahmatika, Q. T., Evi, N., Afiani, N., Yanuar, E., Budi, A., Widjayanti, Y., & Malang, U. N. (2023). Differences in Personal Social Development Before and After Role Playing in Preschool Children 4-5 Years Old. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 1(2), 101–108.
McHenry, L. K., Beasley, L., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Hardin, R. (2021). Mental performance and mental health services in sport: a call for interprofessional competence and collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1963218
Miller, T. M., Coates, J., Plateau, C. R., & Barker, J. B. (2023). Exploring the barriers and facilitators to mental health help-seeking behaviours in British elite track and field athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2197962
Moore, M., Gorczynski, P., Aron, C. M., & Bennett, P. (2022). Leaving professional competition on the field: Professional collaboration in promoting college athlete mental health. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1079057
Pilkington, V., Rice, S. M., Walton, C. C., Gwyther, K., Olive, L., Butterworth, M., Clements, M., Cross, G., & Purcell, R. (2022). Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Symptoms and Well-Being Among Elite Sport Coaches and High-Performance Support Staff. Sports Medicine - Open, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00479-y
Pramudya, D. A., Hayuningrat, F. A.-Z., Ariyanto, K. S. P., Esrarf, L. S., Naia, N. A., Rahmayanti, S., & Nazilah, Y. (2023). Utilization of Social Media as a Quarter Life Crisis Education Media. Inovasi Lokal: Keberdayaan Masyarakat Dalam Pembangunan Berkelanjutan, 1(2), 141–146.
Psychological and Social Needs: Athletes’ and Mental Performance Consultants’ Perspectives on a Gap in Concussion Protocols. (2022). Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2021-0098
Purcell, R., Gwyther, K., & Rice, S. M. (2019). Mental Health In Elite Athletes: Increased Awareness Requires An Early Intervention Framework to Respond to Athlete Needs. Sports Medicine - Open, 5(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/S40798-019-0220-1
Purcell, R., Henderson, J., Tamminen, K. A., Frost, J., Gwyther, K., Kerr, G., Kim, J. L., Pilkington, V., Rice, S. M., & Walton, C. C. (2023). Starting young to protect elite athletes’ mental health. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(8), 439–440. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106352
Purcell, R., Pilkington, V., Carberry, S., Reid, D. A., Gwyther, K., Hall, K., Deacon, A., Manon, R., Walton, C. C., & Rice, S. M. (2022). An Evidence-Informed Framework to Promote Mental Wellbeing in Elite Sport. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.780359
Puriastuti, A. C., Yulianita, E. D., & Saputri, P. F. (2013). THE AFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ANXIETY ON BREAST MILK EJECTION OF POSTPARTUM MOTHER IN PMB HJ. FARIDATUL AMPERA. Health Frontiers: A Multidisciplinary Journal for Health Professionals, 381(9885), 2246. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61471-3
Reardon, C. L. (2023). The Mental Health Crisis in Sports: The Perfect Storm of Contemporary Factors. Journal of Athletic Training. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0484.22
Rogers, D., Tanaka, M. J., Cosgarea, A. J., Ginsburg, R., & Dreher, G. (2023). How Mental Health Affects Injury Risk and Outcomes in Athletes. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 19417381231179680–19417381231179680. https://doi.org/10.1177/19417381231179678
Ruben, M. A., & LaPiere, T. (2022). Social identity and the mental health and wellbeing of male veterans. Health Psychology Report. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr/154989
Ruparell, K. (2021). How important are the team dynamics in the battle against COVID-19? Journal of Neurology, 268(7), 2339. https://doi.org/10.1007/S00415-020-10159-0
Sagar-Ouriaghli, I., Godfrey, E., & Brown, J. S. L. (2023). Improving Mental Health Help-Seeking Among Male University Students: A Series of Gender-Sensitive Mental Health Feasibility Interventions. American Journal of Men’s Health, 17(3), 155798832311637–155798832311637. https://doi.org/10.1177/15579883231163728
Schaade, G. (2022). Reaching out: help-seeking among professional male ice hockey athletes. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676x.2022.2111458
Setyowati, A., Chung, M. H., Yusuf, A., & Haksama, S. (2020). Psychometric of the curiosity and exploration inventory-ii in Indonesia. Journal of Public Health Research, 9(3), 294–298. https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2020.1745
Turgeon, S., Martín, L. S., Rathwell, S., & Camire, M. (2022). The influence of gender on the relationship between the basic psychological needs and mental health in high school student-athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2022.2161103
Yoon, J., & Petrie, T. A. (2023). Barriers and Facilitators of College Athletes Seeking Mental Health Services. Journal of Athletic Training. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-0559.22
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Retos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and ensure the magazine the right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this magazine.
- Authors can establish separate additional agreements for non-exclusive distribution of the version of the work published in the journal (eg, to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Is allowed and authors are encouraged to disseminate their work electronically (eg, in institutional repositories or on their own website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as to a subpoena more Early and more of published work (See The Effect of Open Access) (in English).
This journal provides immediate open access to its content (BOAI, http://legacy.earlham.edu/~peters/fos/boaifaq.htm#openaccess) on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. The authors may download the papers from the journal website, or will be provided with the PDF version of the article via e-mail.
