University of North Texas Athletics
Student Athletes Partake in COVID-19 Wellness Study
7/21/2020 9:30:00 AM | Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Track & Field/XC, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball
DENTON – The University of North Texas Center of Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence, in collaboration with Wayne State University, has released results in an ongoing study which examines the overall health, performance and psychological wellbeing of student athletes during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Â
North Texas student athletes headed up a group of about 6,000 student athletes from 80 Universities that participated in the study that was headed up by UNT's Center of Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence.
Â
When the NCAA canceled spring competition and COVID-19 cases began to surge in the U.S. in March, many students were forced to leave their campus housing. Prior to the pandemic UNT psychology professor and sport psychologist Trent Petrie was planning on looking at the mental health of graduating student athletes, but he shifted his focus to gain insight on how a broader group of college athletes were handling the abrupt changes caused by the virus.
Â
"We expected there might be a wave of mental health concerns for athletes due to their experienced with COVID-19," Petrie said. "As they are returning to campuses and resuming training, we wanted to provide data to help inform best practices for assisting athletes in need."
Â
Petrie prepared the study with the help of UNT psychology doctoral students Tess Palmateer and Lindsey Slavin, as well as associate professor at Wayne State Univeristy, Whitney Moore. The survey was initiated over the course of April and May as responses were collected from athletes across a range of sports and NCAA division levels.
Â
Athletes were asked whether they were experiencing any signs of depression, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, risky drinking, disordered eating or body dissatisfaction. Other questions measured their exercise behavior and whether or not they had participated in mental health counseling prior to and after the onset of the pandemic.
Â
Survey results found that most athletes reported a moderate impact to their psychological health. A small, but sizable number of athletes scored at the highest levels in terms of depressive symptoms, psychological distress and dissatisfaction with life. Relatively few athletes reported having no symptoms or experiences of distress.
Â
"Athletes who are returning to campuses have experienced multiple events related to COVID-19 and many are, right now, experiencing psychological distress, particularly as it relates to their bodies and eating," Petrie said. "The effects of going through such COVID-19 events may not manifest immediately, but may begin to show up as athletes face the immediate stress of returning to training and possibly competition."
Â
UNT follows the NCAA's Mental Health Best Practices offering mental health screenings to all athletes each year as well as any need for additional counseling. According to Petrie, these screenings will play an even more vital role this year.
Â
"Given the potential ripple effects of going through this pandemic, professionals will need to continue to closely monitor the psychological health and wellbeing of their athletes. They also might consider investing in proactive/preventive programming to address prominent issues, such as female athletes' body dissatisfaction," Petrie said.
Â
Petrie plans to follow up with surveyed athletes in August and continue to check in throughout the next year.
Â
Â
North Texas student athletes headed up a group of about 6,000 student athletes from 80 Universities that participated in the study that was headed up by UNT's Center of Sport Psychology and Performance Excellence.
Â
When the NCAA canceled spring competition and COVID-19 cases began to surge in the U.S. in March, many students were forced to leave their campus housing. Prior to the pandemic UNT psychology professor and sport psychologist Trent Petrie was planning on looking at the mental health of graduating student athletes, but he shifted his focus to gain insight on how a broader group of college athletes were handling the abrupt changes caused by the virus.
Â
"We expected there might be a wave of mental health concerns for athletes due to their experienced with COVID-19," Petrie said. "As they are returning to campuses and resuming training, we wanted to provide data to help inform best practices for assisting athletes in need."
Â
Petrie prepared the study with the help of UNT psychology doctoral students Tess Palmateer and Lindsey Slavin, as well as associate professor at Wayne State Univeristy, Whitney Moore. The survey was initiated over the course of April and May as responses were collected from athletes across a range of sports and NCAA division levels.
Â
Athletes were asked whether they were experiencing any signs of depression, psychological distress, sleep disturbances, risky drinking, disordered eating or body dissatisfaction. Other questions measured their exercise behavior and whether or not they had participated in mental health counseling prior to and after the onset of the pandemic.
Â
Survey results found that most athletes reported a moderate impact to their psychological health. A small, but sizable number of athletes scored at the highest levels in terms of depressive symptoms, psychological distress and dissatisfaction with life. Relatively few athletes reported having no symptoms or experiences of distress.
Â
"Athletes who are returning to campuses have experienced multiple events related to COVID-19 and many are, right now, experiencing psychological distress, particularly as it relates to their bodies and eating," Petrie said. "The effects of going through such COVID-19 events may not manifest immediately, but may begin to show up as athletes face the immediate stress of returning to training and possibly competition."
Â
UNT follows the NCAA's Mental Health Best Practices offering mental health screenings to all athletes each year as well as any need for additional counseling. According to Petrie, these screenings will play an even more vital role this year.
Â
"Given the potential ripple effects of going through this pandemic, professionals will need to continue to closely monitor the psychological health and wellbeing of their athletes. They also might consider investing in proactive/preventive programming to address prominent issues, such as female athletes' body dissatisfaction," Petrie said.
Â
Petrie plans to follow up with surveyed athletes in August and continue to check in throughout the next year.
Â
Friday, May 15
Monday, May 11
Wednesday, March 04
Tuesday, December 09