Dissertation
An investigation into the mental health of high school student-athletes in New York State: a quantitative study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Feb 2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00002013
Abstract
The purpose of this quantitative research was to explore the levels at which high school student-athletes in New York struggle with mental health issues. Young adults ages 18-24 years old deal with stress, anxiety, and depression which in some cases lead to self-harm or even suicide. High school student-athletes are at a very fragile point of their lives, one where the mental health issues can either blossom to a larger problem or be corrected. Currently, no research targets this population of individuals; therefore, to best help these students, it is important to clearly understand the complexity of the problems they face. This quantitative study used the Sport Mental Health Recognition Tool 1, (SMHRT-1) a mental health screening tool for athletes developed by the International Olympic Committee as a model for developing the survey in this research. The survey consisted of 50 questions and was distributed to 19 high schools across New York State. 45 students from seven school districts responded to the survey. Respondents were 18-year-old seniors set to graduate in 2023 who had played at least one varsity sport during the 2022-2023 school year. Analysis of survey data investigated how persistent a problem mental health issues are in high school student-athletes. Findings indicate the types of barriers student-athletes faced when seeking help for mental health issues. Finally, the research offers recommendations for necessary changes in high school sports to help student-athletes better cope with mental health issues. Keywords: Mental Health, High School Student-Athletes, Stress, Barriers, Help-Seeking, Suicide, Stigma
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Details
- Title
- An investigation into the mental health of high school student-athletes in New York State
- Creators
- Scott Robert Sugar
- Contributors
- Cameron Kiosoglous (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 119 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021855014704721