•  
  •  
 

DOI

https://doi.org/10.51221/sc.jiia.2026.19.1.12

Abstract

Collegiate student-athletes (SAs) frequently underreport mental health concerns and are less likely to seek professional support compared to their non-athlete peers. Given the substantial emotional and academic support parents provide, this study examined NCAA Division I parents’ perceptions of their student-athletes’ mental health and overall well-being, as well as their awareness and perceptions of available mental health services. An online survey (N = 178) was administered across two Division I universities. Parents reported considerable concern regarding mental exhaustion, anxiety, academic pressures, and future planning. They also identified sport-specific stressors, including relationships with coaches, playing time, team dynamics, and injuries. Although most parents believed their SA knew how to access support services, fewer perceived coaches as prioritizing mental health. Comparisons with NCAA SA data indicated that while parents’ concerns generally aligned with those of SAs, parents perceived these concerns as significantly more severe. Parents also regarded sport-specific stressors as more acute and expressed significantly less confidence in the adequacy of institutional mental health support. Multivariate analyses revealed heightened concerns among parents of female SAs in individual sports, with minimal variation based on parent gender, sport type, or prior experience with mental health services. Overall, findings emphasize the critical role parents play in supporting SA mental health and underscore the need for athletic departments to strengthen communication regarding available resources and prioritize visible, coach-supported mental health initiatives.

Download

Share

COinS