Table 3.
A qualitative synthesis of the studies related to depression and depressive symptoms.
| Study | Aim | Outcomes | Instrument | Main Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norouzi et al., 2020 [29] | Test the efficacy of a mindfulness-based stress reduction program on depression symptoms | Depressive symptoms | Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale | Depressive symptoms significantly decreased after an intervention (22.9 to 9.4 points) and the values in follow-up also remain low (12.4 points). The intervention group had significant benefits compared to the active control group. |
| Junge and Prinz, 2019 [30] | Describe the prevalence and risk factors of depression | Depressive symptoms | Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale | The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 31% among the participants. Additionally, 14% of the players revealed severe symptoms of depression. Despite 16% declared the need for clinical support, only 1/3 have reported that are under treatment or counselling. |
| Smith et al., 2018 [31] | Test relationships between depressive symptoms, burnout, and perfectionism | Depressive symptoms | Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale | Socially prescribed perfectionism did not predict depressive symptoms. However, depressive symptoms did predict an increase in socially prescribed perfectionism over time. |
| Olmedilla et al., 2018 [32] | Analyse the post-injury impact on depression | Depressive symptoms | Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items | No significant differences were found between sexes. Depression symptoms were not significantly different between injured and non-injured players. |
| Jensen et al., 2018 [33] | Analyse the relationship between perfectionism and depressive symptoms | Depressive symptoms | Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale | A prevalence of 16.7% was found among the participants. Depression was not correlated with age. However, significantly greater values of depression were found in youth than in professionals. |
| Wood et al., 2017 [34] | Describe the lived experiences of mental health difficulties | * | * | Survival terms emerged from the interviews. Injury and transition were related to mental health difficulties. |
| Van Ramele et al., 2017 [35] | Analyse the incidence of anxiety/depressive symptoms | Depressive symptoms | 12-item General Health Questionnaire | Common mental disorders ranged between 11 and 29% during 12-month. Players with life events showed a higher risk of experiencing mental disorders. |
| Sanders and Stevinson, 2017 [36] | Analyse the relationships between career-ending injury, chronic pain, athletic identity and depressive symptoms | Depressive symptoms | Short Depression-Happiness Scale | Retired players with depressive symptoms were more likely to cite injury as retirement reasons. The injury was the greater determinant to explain the depressive symptoms in retired players. |
| Prinz et al., 2016 [37] | Analyse depressive symptoms during and after career | Depressive symptoms | Modified Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale | Almost 1/3 of the participants had symptoms of major depression at least once during their career. Average depression scores were different between playing positions and levels of play. Conflicts with coach/management were frequently stated as a reason for lows in mood. |
| Junge and Feddermann-Demont, 2016 [38] | Analyse the prevalence of depression | Depressive symptoms | Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale | Players had a similar prevalence of depressive symptoms to the general population, despite under-21 reported higher prevalence. Symptoms of severe depression were identified in an average of a player per team. Age, sex, playing position, level of play, and a current injury resulted in significant differences in depressive symptoms. |
| Gouttebarge et al., 2015 [39] | Analyse the prevalence of anxiety/depression | Anxiety/depressive symptoms | 12-item General Health Questionnaire | The prevalence of mental health problems achieved 26 and 39% for current and former players, respectively. The low social support and recent live events were cited as main reasons to justify the mental health problems. |
* qualitative methodology (interview).