Sleep disturbances and depression are bidirectionally associated among college student athletes across COVID-19 pandemic exposure classes.

College athletes may be vulnerable to sleep disturbances and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of large shifts in social and athletic obligations. In a national sample of college athletes, we examined the associations between sleep disturbances and depression across two timepoints, using COVID-19 exposure as a moderator. Data were collected from 2098 NCAA Division I, II, and III college athletes during two timepoints, from April 10 to May 23, and from August 4 to September 15, 2020. First, a latent class analysis was conducted with five indicators of levels of COVID-19 exposure to determine different exposure profiles. Second, to examine the directionality of associations between sleep disturbance and depression, a cross-lagged panel model was added to the latent class membership structural equation model; this allowed for testing of moderation by COVID exposure class membership. Four highly homogeneous, well-separated classes of COVID-19 exposure were enumerated: Low Exposure (57%); Quarantine Only (21%); High Other, Low Self Exposure (14%); and High Exposure (8%). COVID-19 exposure class membership did not significantly moderate associations between sleep disturbances and depression. However, student athletes significantly differed in T2 depression by their COVID-19 exposure class membership. Depression and sleep disturbances were positively correlated at both timepoints (r T1 = 0.39; r T2 = 0.30). Additionally, cross-lagged associations were found such that T2 depression was associated with T1 sleep disturbances (ß = 0.14) and vice versa (ß = 0.11). These cross-lagged associations were not significantly affected by athletes' level of COVID-19 exposure during the beginning of the pandemic.

Comparison of Pregaming Alcohol Use and Consequences by Season Status and Sex in College Student Athletes.

As student athletes exhibit unique alcohol use patterns based on being in- versus out-of-season and biological sex, we aimed to explore student athlete (N = 442) alcohol use, pregaming behaviors, and associated negative outcomes. Results suggest being out-of-season and male are positively associated with negative alcohol-related consequences, and male athletes report greater numbers of pregame specific alcohol-related consequences than female athletes (p < .05). Female athletes indicated significantly higher estimated blood alcohol concentrations than male athletes on pregaming nights. No differences emerged between in- and out-of-season athletes on pregame consequences. Results suggest that further emphasis on the role season status and sex has on pregaming behaviors and experiencing negative outcomes may be an important next step toward enhancing prevention and intervention approaches.

Ethnic, gender, and seasonal difference in heavy drinking and protective behavioral strategies among student-athletes.

Relations among gender, ethnicity, athlete seasonal status, alcohol consumption, and protective behavioral strategies were examined among student-athletes. The national sample (N = 670, Mage = 18.90) included Black (n = 199), Hispanic (n = 236), and White (n = 235) college student-athletes who use alcohol. There were significant gender and ethnic differences in alcohol consumption as well as gender differences in use of protective behavioral strategies. Within-group gender differences in alcohol use and PBS were present for White and Hispanic but not Black student-athletes. Implications for tailored prevention/intervention efforts and future directions are discussed.

Evaluation of a resilience training program for college student-athletes: A pilot study.

Objective: To determine if a resilience training program improved knowledge of and intention to use adaptive coping strategies among college student-athletes; and explore college student-athletes' experiences and satisfaction with program components. Participants: Division I college student-athletes. Methods: Pretest-posttest design with surveys completed at baseline and immediately post-program. Results: A total of 79 participants were included (n = 43 [54.4%] females; n = 36 [45.6%] males; Mage = 20.94, [SD = 1.05]). Overall intention to use adaptive coping strategies significantly increased from baseline (M = 29.05, SD = 4.50) to post-program (M = 32.38, SD = 5.62) (p = 0.0004), as did intentions to use the coping strategies seeking social support (p = 0.0037) and self-controlling (p = 0.0007). We found no statistically significant differences in knowledge scores from baseline to post-program. Conclusions: Resilience training may increase college student-athletes' likelihood of using adaptive coping strategies to manage academic and sport-related stressors.

Validation of the Student Athletes' Motivation Toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire (SAMSAQ) for Korean College Student-Athletes: An Application of Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling.

The purpose of this study was to validate the Korean version of the Student-Athletes' Motivation toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire (SAMSAQ) using exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM). A total of 412 (men 77%; women 23%) South Korean collegiate student-athletes competing in 27 types of sports from 13 different public and private universities across South Korea were analyzed for this study. ESEM statistical approach was employed to examine the psychometric properties of SAMSAQ-KR. To assess content validity, the SAMSAQ-KR was inspected by a panel of content subject experts. The Athletic Identity Measurement Scale was used to obtain convergent validity. The results of this study illustrated that the SAMSAQ-KR appears to be a robust and reliable instrument.

Social Support and Post-Injury Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms among College-Student Athletes.

Social support can positively influence both physical and psychological recovery from sport-related injury. However, few studies have examined the influence of the quantity, quality, and timing of social support on athletes' psychological health following injury. This study examined the effects of changes in social support on post-injury depressive and anxiety symptoms among college-student athletes. We conducted a prospective cohort study among Division I college-student athletes. Participants completed surveys at baseline and at multiple time points post-injury until return to play (RTP). A total of 597 injuries sustained by 389 student athletes (n = 400 (67.0%) males; n = 238 (39.9%) football players; n = 281 (47.1%) freshman) were included. The overall amount of social support increased from baseline to 1-week post-injury (p < 0.05) and then remained unchanged until RTP. The overall satisfaction with the support received increased from baseline to 1-week post-injury (p < 0.05) but decreased (p < 0.05) from 1-week post-injury to RTP. Increases in satisfaction with the support received were associated with decreases in post-injury depressive (ß = −0.404), p < 0.0001) and anxiety symptoms (ß = −0.406), p < 0.0001). Interventions involving social support may help hasten college-student athletes' psychological recovery from injury.

Comparing Greek-Affiliated Students and Student Athletes: An Examination of the Behavior-Intention Link, Reasons for Drinking, and Alcohol-Related Consequences.

While affiliation with Greek fraternities/sororities and intercollegiate athletic teams is associated with heavier drinking (Meilman et al., 1999), few studies have compared reasons for drinking among these groups. A sample of 1,541 students, identifying as either Greeks or athletes, completed an online survey. Athletes were significantly higher than Greeks on conformity reason for drinking. Tests of independent correlations indicated the magnitude of the past behavior to intention link was considerably stronger for Greeks. Greeks experienced significantly more social problems from drinking. Several group by gender ANOVA models found significant main effects with highest drinking rates, usually among Greek males, and lowest among female athletes. Understanding these specific group differences informs recommendations for group-specific and tailored educational interventions, which are discussed.

Effects of text messaged self-monitoring on class attendance and punctuality of at-risk college student athletes.

This study examined the effects of text messaging class arrival to an academic counselor on the attendance and punctuality of 4 college student athletes. Each participant had a history of class tardiness and was considered to be at risk for academic failure. Class attendance and punctuality improved for all participants.