What is the prevalence of general anxiety disorder and depression symptoms in semi-elite Australian football players: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in semi-elite Australian footballers is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and depressive symptoms in semi-elite Australian Football players. Our secondary objective was to explore the association between demographic and football-specifc factors with GAD and depressive symptoms. A cross-sectional epidemiological study including 369 semi-elite Western Australian Football League (WAFL) players from the Men and Women’s 2022 season (n=337 men, 91%) was conducted. Symptoms of depression were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scale (PHQ-9) and symptoms of GAD with the GAD-7 scale.

Results: Our response rate was 82.9%. Thirteen players had missing data. The prevalence of GAD symptoms was 8.5% in men and 28.6% in women (10% overall). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 20% in men and 57% in women (23% overall). Being a woman (gender) was associated with a sevenfold increased risk of GAD and/or depression symptoms [odds ratio (OR): 7.33, 95% confdence interval (CI): 3.18–16.92; p<0.001]. Players of ‘Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander’ ethnicity were two times more likely to report GAD and/or depression symptoms in comparison to players of ‘Australian’ ethnicity (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.01–4.49; p=0.048).

Concussion: history was not a signifcant risk factor for GAD or depression symptoms. Conclusion This study demonstrated that approximately 1 in 10 WAFL players met the diagnostic cut-of criteria for probable GAD, and 1 in 5 for probable depression. The prevalence for depression symptoms in this study were far higher than the national average in the comparative age bracket. WAFL women’s players also reported a substantially higher prevalence of GAD and depressive symptoms than men, and should be further investigated as a priority by the WAFL.

Key points:

  • The prevalence of anxiety and depression in semi-elite Australian footballers is unknown, as are those players most at risk.

  • The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in semi-elite Australian footballers appears higher than national averages.

  • Women as well as players identifying as of ‘Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander’ ethnicity are at the highest risk for anxiety and depression symptoms.

Link to Publisher Version (URL)

10.1186/s40798-023-00587-3

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