•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Despite having access to resources and services, college athletes continue to encounter negative mental health experiences and outcomes. Prior research has begun to identify key sources of social support within collegiate athletics, including teammates and athletic trainers. However, there is limited understanding of with whom college athletes feel most comfortable discussing their mental health. The current study aims to identify preferred sources of social support when athletes wish to discuss their mental health and, in turn, examine differences in preference among unique college athlete populations. In total, 247 college athletes participated in the study, representing eight universities within an NCAA Division I athletic conference. Borda’s Counting method was used to calculate with whom college athletes feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns and needs. Additionally, ANOVA analyses were conducted to assess variations among unique sociodemographic populations. In general, college athletes identified teammates, mental health professionals, academic advisors, and athletic trainers as the individuals with whom they were comfortable discussing mental health. No significant differences were observed among athletes of different genders, sexual orientations, or sports. To provide needed mental health support for college athletes, findings highlight the critical need for a comprehensive support system.

Download

Share

COinS