Causes of Depression in Athletes - Coursework Example

Sport Psychology - The unique athlete Introduction There are various studies about depression, and all these have important contributions to the lives and performance of the athletes and even the coaches. Studies reveal information that can help make depression treatment better, and even the management of an individual athlete. This paper is a discussion of various studies focusing on depression. There is a study bout what drives people to seek help, and what affects their intention to seek help. This is important in psychological well-being of the individual and psychology practice. There are some techniques used to treat psychologically affected patients, for example, positive psychology exercises. If this can be implemented, the athletes may not have to go through any depressions, or better still, their conditions can be well managed. Other issues about depression that have been discussed are; the probability of suffering from depression in relation to an athlete's career. If an athlete is in a career that he is likely to develop concussions, he is also likely to suffer depression during and after retiring. The number of concussions correlates with the probability of getting depression. The role religious beliefs play in depression. It was established that high intrinsic religiosity reduces the likely hood of one getting depressive symptoms. Discussion The risk of getting depression is increased by the number of concussions an athlete gets during his or her sports career. This is as revealed in a research based on the hypothesis that concussions increase the rate of mental health progression, and can even lead to long term mental health outcomes. Depression is one of such long term mental illnesses suspected, and so the study proved this relationship to be true (Kerr, Marshall, Harding & Guskiewicz, 2012). The researchers hypothesised a relationship between depression and concussions. They, therefore, selected a group of retired football players and did a cohort study. A baseline General Health Survey was given to members of the NFLRPA in 2001. A follow-up survey was given in 2010. The former footballers were asked about the number of concussions they had sustained during their career, their mental and physical health, and the occurrence of diagnosed medical conditions. The researchers then assessed the physical health of the participants that were important in distinguishing the relationship between depression and the concussions. An analysis was done comparing the relationship between the existence and progression of depression, and the number of concussions a player received during his career (Kerr, Marshall, Harding & Guskiewicz, 2012). There were 1044 respondents and from this number, 106 were clinically diagnosed with depression between 2001 and 2010. Again from 1044, 65% reported having at least one concussion. It was postulated that having a concussion was a risk factor to depression, and the research found out that the number of concussions a retired player had, was directly proportional to the risk of getting depressed over the years. The more concussions one had, the greater the risk. The research concluded that those retired footballers with no concussions were at lesser to no risk of experiencing depressive episodes in life compared to those with concussions (Kerr, Marshall, Harding & Guskiewicz, 2012). Whatever health problems affect retired player also affect current players psychologically. The research study above reveals the likelihood of football players getting depression in, relation to the players getting a concussion. The research does not only provide important information about depression, but about the risk of getting concussions too. It seems that football players are at high risk of getting concussions. With this knowledge, experts guiding exercises for these players should help them avoid getting concussions. It is also important to know of the risks associated with the games the players get involved in, so that their psychological effect can be analysed. Knowledge of the psychological effects of the risks of the game can be used to find solutions to such problems, or even prevent them from occurring. Depression is related to one’s internal beliefs. A study by Storch and colleagues (2002) examined the relationship between depression symptoms and intrinsic, non-organizational and organizational religiosity, in intercollegiate athletes. In order to show the relationship, researchers selected one hundred and five athletes from South-eastern United States’ public university. This included the following teams; volleyball, soccer, swimming, tennis, and football. A survey was conducted to identify the religious affiliation of the participants, and the level of organization, and intrinsic dimensions of their respective religions. The athletes’ depressive symptoms were measured using the Depression subscale and the Duke Religion Index. Statistical analysis revealed a relationship between depression and religious beliefs, which established that religiosity has some buffering effects on depression in intercollegiate athletes: It established that an increase in intrinsic religiosity was accompanied by decreased depressive symptoms. There was, however, no relationship between intrinsic religiosity and emotional symptoms of depression. The research concluded that management of depressive symptoms could utilize activities that promote a connection to a higher intrinsic religiosity (Storch, Storch, Welsh & Okun, 2002). Knowledge of this relationship is important since the level of depression is always high among college athletes. This knowledge can be used in the management of depression among athletes in college. It has been recommended that activities that promote a connection to a higher intrinsic religiosity can be used to help athletes deal with depression. Psychologists can research further on the effects of such activities, and even develop programs based on such activities to help manage depression (Storch, Storch, Welsh & Okun, 2002). Depression affects people’s lifestyles, family, work, eating habits, and eventually the quality of life. It affects people of different backgrounds and types, but in a specific study, focus was on retired athletes. It was postulated that due to loss of personality, and the changes in lifestyles after graduation for college athletes, they are at high risk of suffering depression (Weigand, Cohen & Merenstein, 2013). The study researchers identified former college athletes and a number of current college athletes, and conducted a survey investigating depression levels among the two groups. Surveys were sent to the participants through email, and consisted of general questions such as age, specific athletics one got involved in, and sex. These were done for the basis of ruling out any factor that could complicate the results and invalidate the hypothesis. Depression was assessed using Wakefield Depression Scale (Weigand, Cohen & Merenstein, 2013). Data analysis showed that depression levels for the current athletes at the college were higher than depression levels for the former athletes. It gave the impression that factors that cause depression in college may go away after graduation. Because of these results, it was suggested that education, awareness, intervention, and screening, be increased for depression among college athletes. The hypothesis that when an athlete leaves college and loses his or her identity, structured schedules, social support, and peak physical fitness, then the athlete gets depression was proven wrong. It is the current athletes in college that suffer more depression (Weigand, Cohen & Merenstein, 2013). Such findings are very important for identifying specific causes of depression among athletes. From the same group of participants, the causes of depression can be identified. The retired athletes can be asked about what depressed them while in college, and this compared to the causes of depression among current athletes. Depression causes' information can be used to advance the athletes’ well-being through better mental health services (Weigand, Cohen & Merenstein, 2013). Another research that focused on depression was Mongrain and Anselmo-Matthews’s (2012). The foundation of this research was on positive psychotherapy. It simulated a previous study which proved the long term benefits of positive psychology exercises. Positive psychotherapy is currently a new form of intervention seeking to be included among the established therapy approaches. It is, however, important to scrutinize every technique that psychologists use to ensure they are up to expected standards, and accountability maintained. If proven to be of standard, positive psychotherapy could provide effective pathways to improve well-being and functioning of athletes (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012). This research critically reviewed previous study on positive psychotherapy by Seligman and colleagues, and documented the efficacy of positive psychotherapy exercises. The original study by Seligman and colleagues administered two exercises over one week period. These were; Using Your Signature Strengths, and Three Good Things. These exercises were found to have a long lasting effect on happiness and depression. Based on this proven theory, the study included one more positive exercise and investigated the effectiveness of such exercises (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012). The effect of positive exercises on participants was examined, but with an additional second positive placebo, and improvements on the control condition. The second positive placebo was meant to identify the common factor responsible for accessing positive, self relevant constructs. Control was meant for assessing the cognitive access of positive information, as well as the expectancies’ effect for success. Participants were given daily exercises, which were; using signature strengths in a new way, and three good things in life. These were performed over one week period. They were then asked to write about early memories each night for one week. Using signature strengths in a new way involved taking an online inventory on character strengths. Three good things in life involved writing the three good things that happened in a specific day, and why they happened (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012). After identifying one’s strengths, they were asked to utilize the same strengths in a new and different way. This was done every day for one week. Information about the participants’ depressive symptoms and happiness was then collected one week, one month, three months, and six months, after administering the interventions. The results were compared to depressive symptoms and happiness before administration of the interventions. The results showed that positive psychology exercise led to lifelong increases in happiness. Activation of positive, self relevant information was found to be a better way to boost an individual’s happiness and reduce depression, in concise positive psychology interventions, than the use of other specific mechanisms (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012). The research has produced an improvement to the previous research finding that recommends specific factors to consider in an intervention. This evidence is very important in the development of treatment programs. Psychologists can decide to utilize this therapy of conduct further research to be certain about the effects, and then implement. Relevance of this information to athletes, coaches and exercise; if athletes happen to be depressed, their psychiatrists can identify relevant exercises that can help reduce their depression, and communicate this to their coaches, or to the athletes (Mongrain & Anselmo-Matthews, 2012). Youth-level factor is also important in handling depression issues. Lee and colleagues’ (2014) research is based on the hypothesis that youth-level factors play a role in foretelling their help-seeking intentions which are important for their well being. The intention to seek help is a precondition in mental health treatment programs (Lee, Friesen, Walker, Colman & Donlan, 2014). There were eleven help-seeking intentions examined by an individual’s ethnicity, gender, self reported diagnosed conditions, and ADHD and depression status. The researchers created a traditional helping seeking scale using factor analysis, which they used to gauge the participants levels. Results provide evidence on factors associated with help seeking intentions among the youths, and challenges that surround help seeking process in the context of depression and ADHD (Lee, Friesen, Walker, Colman & Donlan, 2014). Evidence obtained from this research can help practitioners in understanding the complexity of the process of seeking help. The evidence also creates a research opportunity; to find out how to encourage the youth to seek help when depressed, or suffering from ADHD. With more understanding of the youth’s help-seeking behaviour, treatment programs can then develop effective strategies and be successful. An individual cannot be forced to seek mental health treatment unless underage or incapable as established by a court of law. Finding out factors that affect the youth’s help seeking intentions are, therefore, important in improving the quality of mental health services, and the quality of life of the athletes. This contributes to a reduction in the cases and severity of mental health problems affecting athletes (Lee, Friesen, Walker, Colman & Donlan, 2014). One’s gender affects his or her social role. Sigmon and colleagues’ research (2005) capitalized on the theory and investigated the effect of such difference, in self reporting of depression, between men and women. Specifically, it is indicated that the study is based on a response bias hypothesis. This postulates that the tendency for men to underreport depressive symptoms is directly reflected in the gender differences in prevalence rates (Sigmon et al., 2005). The study, therefore, investigated the gender related traits, mental health beliefs, and socially desirable responding, that contributed to the biased behaviour in self reporting of depression. The study also examined the intrusiveness of experimental follow-up, and the cause of depression on depressive symptoms. Results showed that men preferred keeping their depressive symptoms to themselves. This was clear when they reported fewer symptoms in cases where the consent form provided for more involved follow-up. There were also differences between men and women on responding to mental health beliefs, gender related traits, predictors of depressed mood, and beliefs about depression. These results provide evidence that more investigations are necessary for specific contexts, when there are differences in self-reported depressions (Sigmon et al., 2005). Gender difference is an important factor to consider when dealing with depressed patients. If the men find it hard to report about their depressed conditions, it is important for the coach and even the psychologist to know about this for the good of an athlete, and the team. Psychiatrists can work towards finding ways of detecting depression among men and women differently, to help athletes manage depressive symptoms well (Sigmon et al., 2005). One’s ethnicity or race is a factor that affects the likelihood of suffering from depression. According to Leung, LaChapelle, Scinta and Olvera (2014), there are three main predictors of a Mexican or a Latino suffering from depression. The research was focused on the theory that certain conditions increase the prevalence of depression, for example, social and economic challenges. The research focused only on those who had experienced social and economic challenges and found out that 30% of those investigated were more likely to suffer depressive symptoms. The survey was conducted on 90 Latinos and Mexican Americans. It established that there were three main predictors of a Latino or Mexican American suffering from depression. These were; concern about access to health care, individual concerns about discrimination, and experience of a dramatic loss in income. The results also confirmed a previously revealed behaviour about seeking assistance from indigenous community resources, or medical doctors (Leung, LaChapelle, Scinta & Olvera, 2014). Such information is necessary when dealing with people from these two communities. It can help in developing strategies that can assist the communities get access to mental health care, and culturally competent mental health care. Coping strategies can also be developed to help the affected people deal with dramatic loss of income (Leung, LaChapelle, Scinta & Olvera, 2014). Mexican Americans and Latinos are a minorities in America, but there are schools, and colleges, in which they can be a majority. There can also be Latinos and Mexican American athletes being handled by a coach or in a team. Knowledge of the factors that contribute to depressive symptoms among these people is very important for management of the athletes. An athlete’s coach will be able to recognize the athlete’s vulnerable areas and prevent depression from occurring, or help the athlete manage the condition appropriately. It helps in decision making about the right actions to take in different situations. In a case where a psychologist handles a good number of Mexican Americans and Latinos, for example, as a school counsellor, a preventive or a recovery program formulated by this counsellor, would be well informed about the correct strategies to integrate to enable success (Leung, LaChapelle, Scinta & Olvera, 2014). Depression has been associated with discrimination and acculturation, and for that reason, a study focused on identifying prevalence of depression among Koreans in New York, who self reported acculturation and discrimination. It aimed at confirming the relationship between depression and discrimination and acculturation among immigrants in the U.S (Bernstein, Park, Shin, Cho & Park, 2011). 304 immigrants living in New York City were sampled for the study and provided with a survey. The survey had a Discrimination Scale, a Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and an Acculturation Stress Scale; which were used to determine discrimination, depression and acculturation related stress respectively. Results showed that about 42 people had depressive symptoms. The results also indicated that lower self reported language proficiency, and higher self reported exposure to discrimination correlated with higher depressive symptoms. Living alone, education, marital status, income, and the number of years an individual stayed in US, greatly affected the depression scores. Acculturation stress was, however, not considerably related to depression. The two most important predictors of depression were English language proficiency, and discrimination (Bernstein, Park, Shin, Cho & Park, 2011). Just as described in the case of Latino and Mexican Americans, knowledge about the cultural difference is important for mental health care service provision and individual management. It has been established that discrimination and English proficiency play a role in the development of depressive symptoms. Developments of intervention programs for Korean immigrants should, therefore, incorporate solutions to English proficiency and discrimination problems. Some Korean immigrants in the U.S are athletes, and knowledge of possible factors that can cause depression is important for the coach and the psychotherapist. Depression affects concentration and overall health status of an athlete; these in turn affects the athlete’s performance in the game. It is important to prevent depression, or effectively manage it to ensure good performance always (Bernstein, Park, Shin, Cho & Park, 2011). Conclusion There are various research findings of depression that can be used better, to comprehend the condition, and improve health service provision, and the lives of the athletes. This information can play a role in developing depression preventive programs. Each research study is unique in its contribution to the literature on depression, as well as on evidence based practice involving depression. A summary of information about depression in this discussion includes the causes of depression, associations with depression, and risk factors to depression. If an athlete, for example, is in a career that he is likely to develop concussions, he is also likely to suffer depression during and after retiring. The number of concussions correlates with the probability of getting depression. This information is very important for the coaches, the athletes, and even psychiatrists. Coaches can then be more watchful on their players, or advocate for safety wear to prevent such concussions. Depression has been linked to one’s culture, intrinsic beliefs, sports related injuries, and experiences that an individual goes through. Knowledge of these associations to depression is important for better performance since an athlete’s mental performance directly affects his or her physical performance. References Bernstein, K. S., Park, S., Shin, J., Cho, S. and Park, Y., 2011, Acculturation, discrimination and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants in New York City, Community Mental Health Journal, 47:24–34. Kerr, Z. Y., Marshall, S. W., Harding, H. P., and Guskiewicz, K. M., 2012, Nine-year risk of depression diagnosis increases with increasing self-reported concussions in retired professional football players, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(10): 2206-2012. Lee, J., Friesen, B. J., Walker, J. S., Colman, D. and Donlan, W. E., 2014, Youth’s help-seeking intentions for ADHD and depression: Findings from a national survey, Journal of Child Family Studies, 23:144–156. Leung, P., LaChapelle, A. R., Scinta, A. and Olvera, N., 2014, Factors contributing to depressive symptoms among Mexican Americans and Latinos, Social Work, 59 (1): 42-51. Mongrain, M. and Anselmo-Matthews, T., 2012, Do Positive Psychology Exercises Work? A Replication of Seligman et al. (2005), Journal Of Clinical Psychology, 68(4): 382–389. Sigmon, S. T., Pells, J. J., Boulard, N.E., Whitcomb-Smith, S., Edenfield, T. M., Hermann, B. A., LaMattina, S.M., Schartel, J. G., and Kubik, E., 2005, Gender differences in self-reports of depression: the response bias hypothesis revisited, Sex Roles, 53 (5/6): 401-411. Storch, E. A., Storch, J. B., Welsh, E. and Okun, A., 2002, Religiosity and depression in intercollegiate athletes, College Student Journal, 36(4): 526-531. Weigand, S., Cohen, J. and Merenstein, D., 2013, Susceptibility for depression in current and retired student athletes, Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, 5(3): 263-266. Read More