Research Impact: In this paper, we characterise the mental health and motivation of Gaelic games student-athletes over a university season, while also monitoring their athletic and academic schedules. Thirty-seven percent of the cohort reported scores indicative of mild-to-moderate depression, 32% were poor sleepers, and 8% were high trait anxious. The student-athletes reported predominantly adaptive motivational patterns, though baseline amotivation and ego climate (both maladaptive) were associated with poor mental health at season’s end. Our findings reinforce the importance of psychological monitoring among student-athletes, particularly those who are balancing intense athletic and academic commitments over a short timeframe.
Sheehan, R.B., Herring, M.P. and Campbell, M.J. 2018. Longitudinal relations of mental health and motivation among elite student-athletes across a condensed season: Plausible influence of academic and athletic schedule. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.03.005
PESS News & Information 