Stress and Mental Health Challenges Among Female College Athletes

The connection between competitive sports and stress is well-known – athletes train rigorously in order to achieve the best results in their field. Thus, it is expected that their training will be challenging, causing a degree of exhaustion and requiring mental preparedness and focus. However, recent studies and personal athletes’ stories demonstrate that the issue is more substantial than the competition-induced stress that is brought on by the rivalry. This issue is now especially evident among female college athletes whose performance in school may determine their future career opportunities.

Between 2019 and 2021, the rate of female athletes who stated that they were overwhelmed by what they had to do increased by 20% – more than 90% of young women now experience stress regularly (NCAA Research, 2022). Notably, less than 80% of male college athletes express the same feelings (NCAA Research, 2022). The levels of mental exhaustion, sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and hopelessness are also higher among female athletes than male athletes (NCAA Research, 2022). The difference between these numbers points to a potential lack of attention to women’s mental health in sports.

The scholarship also notes that female athletes’ well-being is not sufficiently researched. Walters (2021) notes that female athletes are more prone to anxiety and depression than men. Moreover, the relationship between coaches and students also appears to be understudied. The recent stories of women withdrawing from sports to support their mental health are juxtaposed with incidents where female players ended their lives due to the overwhelming pressure they felt (Strout, 2022). The statistics, stories, and research articles demonstrate that a significant issue currently exists among women in college sports. The risk of mental health problems among female health athletes continues to increase, and it is vital to examine the causes and present solutions to resolve this under-resourced crisis.

References

NCAA Research. (2022). NCAA Student-athlete well-being study (fall 2021) [PDF Document]. Web.

Strout, E. (2022). Female college athletes are facing a mental health crisis—So why isn’t more being done? Women’s Health. Web.

Walters, A. S. (2021). Female athletes and mental health: An under‐resourced relationship. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 37(10), 8-8. Web.