Introduction: Social support is widely recognized as a key determinant of athletes` mental health; however, inconsistencies remain regarding the strength and source-specific effects of this relationship. This meta-analysis systematically quantifies the association between social support and mental health outcomes in athletes and examines variations by support source. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases to identify relevant studies. Random-effects models were used to calculate pooled effect sizes expressed as correlation coefficients (r). Subgroup analyses compared the associations of family and friends` support versus team-based support with mental health indicators. Results: Forty studies encompassing 14,462 athletes were included. Overall social support correlated positively with well-being (r = 0.31) and negatively with anxiety (r = -0.22), depression (r = -0.27), and stress (r = -0.25). Notably, support from family and friends showed a significantly stronger negative association with depressive symptoms than team-based support. Discussion: In conclusion, social support plays a vital role in enhancing athletes` mental health, particularly through close interpersonal relationships. These findings underscore the importance of integrating diverse sources of social support in interventions aimed at improving psychological well-being in athletes.
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