Skating on thin ice? Mental health and well-being in women's ice hockey

Abstract

Objectives First, to map the prevalence of symptoms of positive mental health, anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties, along with the coexistence of these symptoms, among players in the Swedish Women’s Hockey League (SDHL). Second, to investigate relationships between these mental health symptoms and demographic variables (ie, age, injuries, dual careers), social support and psychological flexibility. Methods Players from nine teams in SDHL (n=182; mean age 22.3±SD 4.8, range 16–35) participated in this cross-sectional study. An online survey, including validated self-assessment questionnaires, conducted data collection. The questionnaires were distributed just before the play-offs started in the 2022–2023 season. Mental health variables were presented as descriptive statistics, and associations were investigated through multivariate binary logistic regression analyses. Results The response rate was 91%. Moderate or severe symptoms were reported among 29.7% for sleep difficulties, 20.9% for anxiety and 18.1% for depression. Nineteen per cent reported comorbidities. Sixty percent reported flourishing mental health. Lower psychological flexibility was associated with lower odds of flourishing mental health and higher odds of symptoms of anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties. Social support was associated with higher odds of flourishing mental health and lower odds of sleep difficulties. Conclusion 6 of every 10 players reported not reaching the ideal state of mental health (ie, flourishing mental health without mental illness). Mental health symptoms were statistically significantly associated with psychological flexibility and social support, suggesting that these factors will be beneficial to consider when preventing mental illness and promoting mental health in this population.