The relationship between sleep disorder and mental health in athletes and its mediating role: a cross-sectional study
China`s competitive sports have achieved remarkable success and delivered impressive performances on the international stage. Statistics from international sports organizations indicate that Chinese athletes have demonstrated their strength and influence in competitive sports by winning medals in major international events, including the Olympics, World Cups, and World Championships [1]. In addition to their outstanding competitive abilities, the mental health of athletes has also received significant attention. Under the significant training load and competitive pressure, athletes are susceptible to psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. This concern has intensified, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further heightened the perceived psychological stress experienced by athletes [2]. As a result, this phenomenon has attracted increased attention within the field of sports research. Research has shown that mental health is closely linked to the competitive performance of athletes [3]. Therefore, addressing the mental health issues faced by high-level athletes is essential. This includes the development of mental health education programs, the provision of psychological counseling services, and the implementation of effective coping strategies to support athletes in managing their daily training and competition. In March 2019, Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement was published, which proposed a standardized, evidence-based measure of mental health symptoms in elite athletes [4]. That same year, Consensus statement on improving the mental health of high-level athletes was also released by the International Society of Sport Psychology [5], advocating for a definition of sport-specific mental health and the creation of a comprehensive mental health assessment strategy tailored to the context of sports.
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| Subjects: | |
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| Notations: | social sciences |
| Tagging: | Coping |
| Published in: | PLOS ONE |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2025
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319813 |
| Volume: | 20 |
| Issue: | 3 |
| Pages: | 0319813 |
| Document types: | article |
| Level: | advanced |