Abstract

The psychological well-being of athletes has emerged as a critical yet often under-addressed dimension in sports performance and rehabilitation. While physical health has traditionally dominated sports medicine, increasing evidence underscores the profound impact of psychological factors such as anxiety, depression, stress and coping ability on athletes’ overall functioning. This study investigates the psychological struggles faced by competitive athletes and evaluates the transformative role of sports medicine in addressing these challenges through an integrative, mixed-methods approach. A total of 53 athletes (ages 18-35) from various competitive sports participated in the study. Quantitative data were gathered using four validated instruments: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21), the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI-28) and the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS). Results revealed that 62% of athletes experienced moderate-to-high anxiety, 36% exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms and 41% were classified as highly stressed. Additionally, 39% demonstrated suboptimal coping strategies, while 47% of athletes recovering from injury reported low psychological readiness to return to play. Qualitative data, obtained through semi-structured interviews, illuminated four recurring themes: the internal conflict between perceived mental toughness and emotional suppression; the enduring stigma surrounding mental health in sports; the pivotal role of sports medicine professionals in initiating psychological care; and the athlete-driven call for integrated, holistic approaches to performance and rehabilitation. Correlational analyses further established significant relationships between injury and anxiety (r = .52, p < .01), as well as coping deficits and increased stress (r = –.48, p < .01). These findings underscore the necessity of reframing sports medicine to include psychological assessment and intervention as standard practice. By integrating mental health professionals into rehabilitation and performance teams, sports organizations can enhance not only recovery outcomes but also long-term athlete well-being. The study advocates for a systemic shift toward biopsychosocial care models that recognize the athlete as both a performer and a person.

Keywords:Athlete mental health; Sports medicine; Psychological readiness; Mixed methods research