Discov Ment Health. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s44192-026-00378-8. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common in elite sports but remain understudied in female professional beach volleyball. Unique stressors including financial insecurity, dyadic team structures, and public visibility may increase vulnerability to mental health issues.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female professional beach volleyball players and to investigate potential influencing factors such as training volume, financial security, and perceived social support.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 52 professional female beach volleyball players ranked within the top 200 of the world ranking (mean age 26.14 ± 4.70 years) from German-speaking countries, the United States, and Canada. Data were collected using standardized self-report instruments, including the State Trait Anxiety Inventory Trait version (STAI-T) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Additionally, psychosocial and structural stressors such as financial uncertainty, interpersonal team dynamics, and support from coaches and teammates were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant associations.
RESULTS: In total, 67.3% (n = 35) of athletes exceeded the clinical cut-off score for trait anxiety (STAI-T ≥ 44), and 71.2% (n = 37) reported depressive symptoms above the clinical threshold (BDI-II ≥ 14). Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were strongly correlated (r = 0.777, p < 0.001). Higher training volume correlated with more severe depressive symptoms (r = 0.450, p <0 .001), and several sport-related factors showed significant correlations with trait anxiety (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression identified poor team communication (p < 0.001) and financial insecurity (p = 0.026) as significant predictors of psychological burden, whereas international ranking showed no association with either anxiety or depression.
CONCLUSIONS: Elite female beach volleyball players exhibit high rates of clinically relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psychosocial stressors, structural insecurities and subjective success perceptions, rather than objective competitive success, appear to be key contributors. These findings underscore the need for targeted sport-psychological support, financial stabilization, and long-term preventive strategies tailored to the unique demands of elite beach volleyball.
PMID:41579268 | DOI:10.1007/s44192-026-00378-8
