Mental Wellness In Youth Athletes

Organized sports have profound mental health benefits for young athletes. Studies show that young people who participate in team sports have increased feelings of confidence and resilience, improved teamwork and social skills, and higher graduation rates. They also have lower rates of depression and anxiety, and lower rates of substance abuse compared to young people who do not participate in organized sports. ^{13, 11}

While the mental health benefits of youth sports are massive, there are common mental stressors that young athletes may experience. Studies show that young athletes are at risk of experiencing higher levels of stress, burnout and struggles with their identity as an athlete.^{13, 16}

This guide is designed to educate players, parents and coaches on common mental stressors that youth athletes may experience. This guide is also designed to empower players, parents and coaches to properly manage these common mental stressors. All of the information presented in this guide is based on high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles. A complete list of references can be found below.

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Excessive Stress

The Mental Health Foundation defines excessive stress as the feeling of being overwhelmed by mental and emotional pressure.¹⁰ With the increasingly high demand of sports, youth athletes are at a high risk of feeling overly stressed. “Worrying about athletic performance, the loss of a competition and resultant fear of failure and disaffection, conflicts with trainers, partners, or family, and costs associated with exercise and physical demands have all been implicated as having a significant impact on the stress levels of athletes.”^{16, 10}

Research shows that excessive stress can negatively affect athletic performance and lead to a higher risk of injury. Stress during a competition can affect the athlete’s attention, increase muscle tension, and negatively affect coordination. All of these factors put the athlete at an elevated risk of injury. One study found that the injury risk to young soccer players was 70% greater when the athletes experienced high levels of perceived stress.¹⁵

Youth athletes cope with excessive stress in many different ways. Task-oriented coping focus on finding solutions to the stressful situation. “It involves taking direct action to alter the situation itself to reduce the amount of stress it evokes.”⁹ This is in contrast to avoidance-oriented coping strategies, which involves avoiding the situation, denial, and loss of hope.^9,16

Research shows that youth athletes who use task-oriented coping strategies for excessive stress successfully lower their perceived stress levels and significantly reduce their risk of injury. Furthermore, task-oriented coping strategies have been shown to promote optimal levels of achievement on and off the field.¹⁶

Team culture can also play a role in excessive stress in youth athletes. Studies show that a performance-based climate, characterized by high levels of competitiveness and internal rivalries, puts youth athletes at a greater risk of feeling excessive stress as compared to a mastery-climate, which focuses on personal improvement and learning.^16,6

At Spark Player Development, we understand that youth athletes may be at risk of feeling excessively stressed. To limit this risk, we ensure that our training sessions focus on personal improvement and learning, rather than competition and internal rivalry. Furthermore, we provide resources for players, parents and coaches to learn about effective task-oriented coping strategies.

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Burnout and Overtraining

The American Medical Society describes burnout as “a consequence of chronic stress that results in a young athlete ceasing participation in a previously enjoyable sport.” It is estimated that around one in three young athletes will experience symptoms of burnout at some point in their athletic careers. Burnout in young athletes can lead to lower performance, loss of appetite and sleep, decreased feelings of fun and satisfaction, physical injury, and ultimately withdrawal from their sport.^3,16

Research shows that burnout in sports can occur when young athletes feel that their sport is placing excessively high demands on them. These demands may include excessive scheduling, unrealistic performance expectations, and an emphasis on competitive success. Other risk factors for burnout include inconsistent coaching, frequent criticism, lack of control in sport-related decision making, and unrealistic performance expectations.^3,16

The signs of burnout and overtraining vary from athlete to athlete. Common symptoms may include excessive fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, trouble sleeping, lack of concentration and decreased self-confidence.³ As a player, it is important that you are honest with yourself about how you are feeling. As a parent, it is important that you have an honest discussion with your young athlete about how they are feeling.^3,16

Once burnout is recognized, there are several steps that can be taken. According to the American Medical Society, “rest or relative rest is an important component of the treatment plan… Efforts should also be made to develop realistic but positive perceptions of competence in young athletes.” To prevent burnout, avoid over-scheduling and emphasize skill development rather than competitive success.¹⁶

At Spark Player Development, we understand that youth athletes may be at risk of experiencing burnout. Our training is designed to minimize this risk. We ensure that our training is always fun and enjoyable. We set realistic expectations and goals for our athletes and we emphasize skill development rather than competitive success. We encourage our athletes to be assertive and include them in the design of their training program.

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Athletic Identity

The Journal of Sports Medicine defines athletic identity as “the degree to which an individual identifies with their athletic role.”¹⁶ Studies show that athletic identity typically increases the most during adolescence. This is especially true for young athletes who compete at a high level.⁴

An athletic identity has been shown to have many positive benefits. “A healthy athletic identity has been linked to stronger commitment to training and greater focus on athletic goals… strong athletic identities are associated with positive psychological outcomes such as enhanced body image, increased self-confidence, and decreased anxiety.”¹⁶ Other studies have found that a strong athletic identity can lead to better performance and higher levels of enjoyment from sports participation. Furthermore, young athletes with strong athletic identities are more likely to be more physically fit and healthy later in life.^16,4

There are tremendous benefits to having a strong, healthy athletic identity. However, youth athletes without alternative role identities are at risk for developing a unidimensional athletic identity. This unhealthy form of athletic identity can negatively impact an athlete’s wellbeing. “Elite athletes with strong and exclusively athletic identities risk the possibility of their self-worth and esteem becoming dependent on athletic performance.”¹⁶ Other studies have shown that strong, unidimensional athletic identities have been linked to greater performance stress, increased anxiety, and increased likelihood using performance enhancing drugs.^16,4

Athletic identity can also affect how an athlete responds to injury. Studies have found that youth athletes with strong athletic identities are more likely to experience symptoms of depression following injury or other interruptions to sports participation.¹⁶

A strong, healthy athletic identity can greatly benefit youth athletes. However, that athletic identity can become detrimental when the youth athlete lacks alternative forms of identity. To foster a strong and healthy athletic identity, it is important for youth athletes to explore other interests and consider who they are off the field.^4,2

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^‍Optimism, Hardiness and Mental Toughness

Studies have shown that strong feelings of optimism in youth athletes lower the risk of excessive stress and burnout. Optimism is defined as “confidence that a goal can be obtained… and is associated with a sense of control.”¹⁶ Youth athletes with strong feelings of optimism are also more likely to practice effective task-oriented coping strategies when managing excessive stress, leading to increased performance and lower injury risks. Optimism has also been shown to foster a greater sense of achievement and accomplishment.¹⁶

Hardiness is defined as a person’s ability to endure difficult and stressful situations. Research shows that athletes who demonstrate hardiness are more likely to effectively cope with excessive stress. “Hardiness reflects a state of mental toughness, in that it encapsulates control, commitment, and challenge… Mentally tough individuals are characterized by a strong tendency to view their personal environment as controllable, to perceive themselves as capable and influential, to stay committed even under adverse circumstances, and to consider problems as natural challenges.”¹⁶ 

Research has repeatedly shown that mental toughness is associated with athletic and non-athletic success, as well as more positive emotional states. Support, empowerment, and positive identity have all been shown to foster athletes with mental toughness.¹⁶

At Spark Player Development, we understand that mental toughness is a significant indicator of success, both on and off the field. That is why we strive to foster a sense of capability, confidence and commitment in our athletes, as well as providing them with support and empowerment.

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Conclusion

Youth sports have been shown to have tremendous mental health benefits. However, there are also certain mental stressors that are prevalent in youth sports. This guide lists several common mental stressors that youth athletes may experience. While this guide is based on the latest scientific research, it is important to understand that each athlete and each circumstance are unique. Any mental illness or mental health crisis in youth should be dealt with by trained medical professionals.

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References

1. Caine, D., Walch, T., & Sabato, T. (2016). The elite young athlete: Strategies to ensure physical and emotional health. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, Volume 7, 99–113. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S96821
2. Chidley 2019.pdf. (n.d.).
3. DiFiori, J. P., Benjamin, H. J., Brenner, J. S., Gregory, A., Jayanthi, N., Landry, G. L., & Luke, A. (2014). Overuse injuries and burnout in youth sports: A position statement from the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(4), 287–288. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-093299
4. Edison, B. R., Christino, M. A., & Rizzone, K. H. (2021). Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review of the Literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147331
5. Elliott, S., Drummond, M. & Knight, C. (2017). The Experiences of Being a Talented Youth Athlete: Lessons for Parents. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1-19.
   http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2017.1382019
6. Harwood, C. G., Knight, C. J., Thrower, S. N., & Berrow, S. R. (2019). Advancing the study of parental involvement to optimise the psychosocial development and experiences of young athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 66–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.01.007
7. Hatzigeorgiadis, A. (n.d.). Negative Self-Talk During Sport Performance: Relationships with Pre-Competition Anxiety and Goal-Performance Discrepancies. 19.
8. Hogue 2020.pdf. (n.d.).
9. Kariv, D., & Heiman, T. (n.d.). Task-Oriented Versus Emotion-Oriented Coping Strategies: The Case of. 18.
10. Mental Health Foundation 2021.pdf. (n.d.).
11. Newport Academy 2021.pdf. (n.d.).
12. Padaki, A. S., Ahmad, C. S., Hodgins, J. L., Kovacevic, D., Lynch, T. S., & Popkin, C. A. (2017). Quantifying Parental Influence on Youth Athlete Specialization: A Survey of Athletes’ Parents. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(9), 232596711772914. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325967117729147
13. Pieroth 2021.pdf. (n.d.).
14. 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), 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0220-1
15. Steffen, K., Pensgaard, A. M., & Bahr, R. (2009). Self-reported psychological characteristics as risk factors for injuries in female youth football. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 19(3), 442–451. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00797.x
16. Sabato, T, Walch, T., & Caine, D. (2016). The Elite Young Athlete: Strategies to Ensure Physical and Emotional Health. Journal of Sports Medicine, 20(6:7), 99–113.
17. Tod, D., Hardy, J., & Oliver, E. (2011). Effects of Self-Talk: A Systematic Review. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 33(5), 666–687. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.33.5.666
18. White, G. A. (2008). Levels of stress and mechanisms of coping among male freshman athletes [MS, West Virginia University Libraries]. https://doi.org/10.33915/etd.2645