Innovation in Research and Scholarship Feature NCAA Student-Athlete Mental Health and Wellness: A Biopsychosocial Examination

Intercollegiate student-athletes, a distinct sub-population of college students accounting for nearly 500,000 individuals across university campuses, may experience greater mental health issues than their non-athlete counterparts. This study examined the differences in studentathlete mental health and wellness by various biopsychosocial factors. Results indicated that female, minoritized, and Division I athletes reported worse mental health concerns (depression, anxiety, stress) and quality of life than their White, male, other-division peers. Implications and future research needs are discussed.

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