Mental health problems, health risk behaviors, and prevention

A qualitative interview study on perceptions and attitudes among elite male soccer players

Datos Bibliográficos

ID22078481
AutoresPia Kvillemo (0000-0002-9706-4902, Karolinska Institutet, autor de correspondencia), Anders Nilsson (0000-0003-1968-8696, Karolinska Institutet), Anna K Strandberg (0000-0003-4254-1529, Karolinska Institutet), Karl Björk (Karolinska University Hospital), Tobias H Elgán (0000-0001-6406-4685, Karolinska Institutet), Johanna Gripenberg (0000-0003-2525-3971, Karolinska Institutet)
Año2023
Volumen10
Páginas1044601-1044601
Fecha de publicación2023-01-05
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
EditorialFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2022.1044601
PMID36684906
OpenAlexW4313562024
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas46

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception of mental health problems and health risk behaviors among Swedish male elite soccer players and their attitudes toward possible prevention strategies. Method: a digital video calling platform. A semi-structured interview guide, encompassing questions about mental health problems, health risk behaviors among soccer teams, peer-relations, relations to coaches, and attitudes toward health risk behaviors, along with proposals for effective interventions, was employed. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results: The informants reported positive feelings in relation to playing soccer, good health, and few health risk behaviors. Risk factors included a large income, excessive free time, and the need for excitement. Stress and mental health problems were linked to performance pressure, social media, and injuries. Hesitation to talk openly about personal problems due to concerns about negative consequences and the "macho culture" was highlighted as barriers to admit and seek help for personal problems. Some statements indicated openness and the club's efforts to destigmatize personal problems. Positive attitudes toward prevention and suggestions for various measures were prominent. Conclusion: Future research and implementation of interventions should focus on the prevention of health risk behaviors and alleviation of stress and performance pressure, as well as continue the efforts to destigmatize mental health problems and raise awareness among coaches of the importance of their communication and behavior for players' mental health and performance. This could be achieved by developing strategic and systematic policy work, information, and dialogue among players and coaches, in addition to individual digital or face-to-face support, provided by professionals outside the soccer context

Athletes · Elite · Elite Athletes · Mental health · Perception · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports, Gender, and Society · Gerontology