Motivation and Mental Toughness among Table Tennis Athletes: Achievement in Sports Performance

This descriptive-type study assessed the motivation and mental toughness among table tennis athletes and their achievements in sports performance. The respondents of this study were 68 table tennis varsity athletes who officially played in the singles event during the Mindanao Association of State and Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Friendship Games in Tandag, Surigao Del Sur. The data were gathered using questionnaires and observation and were treated using frequency and percentage to measure the significant relationship between and among the variables. In addition, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation of Coefficient or Pearson r was utilized. It was concluded that schools, universities, and college administrators must give adequate support and provide ample budgetary needs for the varsity athletes to participate in local, regional, and national competitions and tournaments. Government and institutions should equip, train, and manage competitive stress among athletes and enhance their mental capacity to handle performance during games. The researchers concluded that institutions must also consider younger players in their selection process of the varsity. Based on the result of the study, more immature players were more motivated and highly mentally tough compared to the older players.

A - 25 Screening for Anxiety and Depression Symptoms using the Post-Concussive Symptom Scale Among Varsity Athletes

Objective Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among athletes and often overlap with symptoms of a concussion. Clinical screeners of anxiety and depression are infrequently used by athletic teams despite the relationship between affective symptoms and protracted post-concussion recovery. The study objective was to examine associations between individual symptoms on the post-concussive symptom scale (PCSS) and gold standard measures of anxiety and depression. Methods Pre-season baseline data was collected for 296 varsity athletes from York University, Toronto. Participants were between the ages of 17 and 25 (M = 20.01 yrs, SD = 1.69 yrs; 52% male). The PCSS from the SCAT-5 was used to assess baseline symptoms. Generali. Results Moderate to strong correlations were noted between specific items of the PCSS and the GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Feeling anxious (r = 0.55), concentration problems (r = 0.40), irritability (r = 0.39), trouble falling asleep (r = 0.38), fatigue (r = 0.36), and mental fog (r = 0.35) were the highest correlations with the GAD-7 (ps < 0.001). Trouble falling asleep (r = 0.46), fatigue (r = 0.44), concentration problems (r = 0.41), memory problems (r = 0.37), feeling slowed down (r = 0.36), anxious (r = 0.36), and irritability (r = 0.36) were the highest correlations with the PHQ-9 (ps < 0.001). Conclusions These findings allow for better delineation of symptoms of the PCSS that aid in identification of athletes with symptoms of anxiety or depression, who may be at risk for endorsing persistent symptoms following a concussion.

Smartphones and Varsity Athletes: A Complicated Relationship

Varsity athletes are a group of high performers situated within a demographic notable for smartphone usage and media-multitasking. Surprisingly, little research has examined the impact of smartphones in the lives of varsity athletes. The purpose of this exploratory, qualitative study was to begin addressing this gap by investigating varsity athletes' experiences with smartphones. Varsity athletes (n = 21) from nine different sports participated in one of five focus groups, and data emerging from these discussions were subjected to an inductive thematic analysis. Results indicate that smartphones are a mainstay of varsity athletes' experiences, as the athletes regularly use their smartphones to manage roles and demands across multiple contexts (e.g., sport, school, home). Themes pertained to concurrent negative (e.g., stress, distraction, disengagement) and positive (e.g., self-regulation, social connectedness) implications of smartphone usage, making it clear that athletes' relationship with their smartphone is a complicated one. Findings contribute to the limited studies of smartphone usage among athletes, and support the notion that implications of usage exist along a continuum, rather than in distinct categories of “good” and “bad”. Results can inform practical guidelines for optimising athletes' use of smartphones in and around the sport context.

Alcohol and Athletics: A Study of Canadian Student-Athlete Risk

American student-athletes (SAs) are at heightened risk for hazardous alcohol consumption compared with their nonathlete peers. However, little is known about this risk or the influence of psychosocial predictors on drinking behavior among Canadian SAs. This study compared rates of alcohol use across Canadian SAs and nonathletes and investigated whether the use of athlete-specific psychosocial predictors can improve the prediction of alcohol use outcomes in SAs. Participants (179 varsity athletes and 366 nonathletes) completed anonymous self-report questionnaires. Results suggest that Canadian athletes are at a heightened risk for experiencing alcohol-related problems compared with nonathletes, with general psychosocial predictors explaining the majority of variance in SA alcohol use. However, and quite notably, athlete-specific positive reinforcement motives predicted SA binge drinking. This research provides some of the first evidence of drinking-related problems among Canadian SAs and supports the potential use of preventative efforts to help SAs develop safe strategies for alcohol use.

Using the GAD-7 and GAD-2 Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screeners With Student-Athletes: Empirical and Clinical Perspectives

With the aim of supporting anxiety screening of student-athletes, this study examined the psychometric performance of the GAD-7 and GAD-2 for assessing anxiety and other clinical mental health concerns (depression, past-year and recent suicidality) in student-athletes. Data from intercollegiate varsity athletes (N = 7,584) were drawn from the Healthy Minds Study. Reliability estimates were good in the sample. Area under the curve values were excellent for anxiety and fair to good for depression and suicidality. Across all clinical indicators, a cutoff of 6 (GAD-7) and 2 (GAD-2), respectively, yielded the most balanced sensitivity and specificity rates. Both measures positively correlated with functional impairment, academic impact, and perceived mental health and negatively correlated with positive mental health. Overall, results supported the reliability, accuracy, and construct validity of the GAD-7 and GAD-2 in a national student-athlete sample. Discussion focuses on clinical implications and practical usage of the GAD-7 and GAD-2 with student-athletes.