274 Risk factors associated with anxiety and depression in professional cricketers

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 55; no. Suppl 1; p. A107
• Main Authors: Hendricks, Sharief, Amino, Nur, Schlebusch, Ruan, Van Wyk, JP, Mellalieu, Stephen, Gouttebarge, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine 23.11.2021; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Anxiety; Mental depression; Poster Presentations; Questionnaires; Risk factors
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.253

BackgroundIn elite sport, mental health has become a topic of concern as athletes frequently appear to experience symptoms of anxiety/depression. Cricket is particularly demanding, given the globalisation and different formats of the game. To reduce anxiety/depression in professional cricketers, potential risk factors need to be identified.ObjectivesFirstly, to determine the prevalence of anxiety/depression in South African professional cricketers. Secondly, determine whether factors such as education, family life, or career-related factors are associated with anxiety/depression.DesignA cross-sectional survey design using the General Health Questionnaire – a robust and reliable self-report measure for risk of anxiety/depression.ParticipantsAll Professional South African Cricketers (n=177).Assessment of Risk FactorsPlayers’ career (e.g. main role in the team, level of cricket), family (e.g. marital status, whether they had children) and education (e.g. highest level of education, whether they were currently studying)Main Outcome MeasurementsGeneral Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ) Score (ranging from 0–12). Anxiety/Depression prevalence (based on GHQ). Relative Risk Ratios (RR) for anxiety/depression based playing career, family and education.ResultsThe prevalence of anxiety/depression was 58%. The mean GHQ score for the sample was 3.6 (95% CI: 3.2–4.0). The likelihood of developing anxiety/depression increased when players were playing a higher level (RR: 7.3; 95% CI: 2.0–26.3; p < 0.01), contracted for more than 2 years (RR: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.2–21.3; p < 0.05) or if they played their last offseason overseas (RR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.3–9.6; p < 0.05). The likelihood of developing anxiety/depression decreased when players made productive use of their spare time in the offseason (RR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.9; p < 0.05) and were contracted for 2 years (RR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–1.0; p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression in this cohort was higher than previously reported for elite athletes. Potential risk factors have been identified that can be used to design and develop strategies to reduce anxiety/depression in professional cricketers.