PSY FPX 6830 Assessment 3 Working With Diverse Populations

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 6830 Applied Sport Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

Anxiety in sports or competitions often inhibits athletes from performing at their optimal level. Sports psychology serves as a tool to help athletes across various age groups and skill levels achieve their full potential. Whether in youth leagues or professional teams, addressing the mental health of athletes enhances their overall performance. This discussion will focus on the differences between anxiety at the high school level versus anxiety in college sports. Anxiety during competition is one of the primary reasons sports psychologists are essential across all levels of athletics. Depression is frequently linked with anxiety, particularly for high school athletes who face pressure to progress to collegiate sports, leading to significant stress and anxiety.

College student-athletes are pivotal to the success of collegiate sports, yet they are not exempt from the challenges of living independently. These struggles not only affect their academic performance but also their athletic endeavors. College athletes face a variety of stressors, including academic demands, career concerns, family problems, intimate relationships, finances, and the fear of losing scholarships. These factors, compounded by the recent COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly increased anxiety rates among athletes. According to research from the article “Change-Event Steals ‘Athlete’ from ‘College Athlete’: Perceived Impact and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress,” 69 participants reported elevated anxiety scores, with female athletes showing a higher mean anxiety score than their male counterparts. On average, female college athletes experience the most substantial changes between the ages of 18 and 22, aligning with their participation in college athletics. This article underscores gender differences and other mental health challenges.

PSY FPX 6830 Assessment 3 Working With Diverse Populations

In the realm of sports participation, competitive anxiety is described as “a tendency to perceive competitive situations as threatening and to respond to these situations with feelings of apprehension and tension” (Patel et al.). High school athletes, particularly those aged 14 to 18, are vulnerable to anxiety disorders. The pressures of high school academics and athletics contribute to increased anxiety in this age group. High school athletes often strive to excel at their current level while aiming to progress to the next, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. Both male and female athletes face external and internal stressors that foster the development of anxiety. According to the study “Are the Traits of Perfectionism Associated with Pre-Competitive Anxiety in Young Athletes?,” male athletes tend to feel more pressure from their parents regarding the sport they play, while female athletes focus more on competition-related anxieties (Patel et al., 2010). In high school, anxiety is closely tied to perfectionistic tendencies and the desire to meet others’ expectations.

Addressing anxiety in college athletes begins with acknowledging their feelings. Once this acknowledgment occurs, the athlete and practitioner can work together to create a plan for managing anxiety. Maintaining a positive outlook is critical for both the athlete and the practitioner. Institutions should have interdisciplinary teams dedicated to supporting mental wellness, along with performance enhancement specialists to address all aspects of an athlete’s well-being (Valle, 2023).For high school athletes, best practices include clear protocols for identifying and referring athletes with mental health concerns. Pre-participation mental health screenings, conducted alongside physical exams, provide valuable insights before the season begins. Additionally, maintaining a health-promoting environment that fosters mental well-being and resilience is essential. Written procedures for handling mental health emergencies are also crucial (MENTAL HEALTH BEST PRACTICES, n.d.).

PSY FPX 6830 Assessment 3 Working With Diverse Populations

After examining the best practices and comparing anxiety between high school and college athletes, it appears that similar approaches can be applied to both groups. The protocols designed for high school athletes could benefit college athletes as well, ensuring enhanced performance and well-being. Moreover, the NCAA would benefit from adopting written emergency plans and referral processes to ensure a cohesive approach across all levels of competition. However, more research is needed to explore the cultural implications of anxiety in sports and competition.

References

Asplund, C. (n.d.). Athlete Mental Health Best Practices and Guidelines. https://doi.org/info@uscah.com%20|%20uscah.com

Davoren, A. K., & Hwang, S. (n.d.). Mind, Body and Sport: Depression and anxiety prevalence in student-athletes. NCAA.org. https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2014/10/8/mind-body-and-sport-depression-and-anxiety-prevalence-in-student-athletes.aspx

Freire, G. L. M., Sousa, V. da C., Alves, J. F. N., Moraes, J. F. V. N. de, Oliveira, D. V. de, & Nascimento Junior, J. R. A. do. (2020). Are the traits of perfectionism associated with pre-competitive anxiety in young athletes? Cuadernos de Psicología Del Deporte, 20(2), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.6018/cpd.406031

Garver, M. J., Gordon, A. M., Philipp, N. M., Huml, M. R., & Wakeman, A. J. (2021). Change-Event Steals “Athlete” from “College Athlete”: Perceived Impact and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, Volume 14, 1873–1882. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s320243

MENTAL HEALTH BEST PRACTICES. (n.d.). https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/ssi/mental/SSI_MentalHealthBestPractices.pdf