Date of Award

Spring 2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Athletic Training – Post Professional Concentration

Committee Chairperson

Lindsey Keenan, Phd, LAT, ATC

Committee Member

Rachel Daltry, Psy.D.

Committee Member

Jeffrey Harris, DrPH, RD, LDN

Committee Member

Selen Razon, Ph.D.

Abstract

Context: Due to the clinical significance, it is important that anxiety is identified early in collegiate athletes. Unlike the extensive amount of research done conducted on mental health in the general population, there is minimal research examining the mental health of athletes. The relationship between general anxiety (GAD), social physique anxiety (SPA), and body image (BI) in this population has not been studied. Objective: To examine the relationship between general anxiety, social physique anxiety, and body image in collegiate athletes and non-athletes. Design: Cross-sectional quantitative study. Setting: One NCAA Division II University. Participants: Three hundred and eleven students participated in this study. Interventions: Participants completed surveys electronically during the fall semester of the 2019-2020 academic year. Measures included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (Appearance Evaluation; MBSRQ-AE), and Weight Pressures in Sport (WPS) questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures: GAD-7, SPAS, MBSRQ-AE, and WPS mean scores. Results: A significant, negative relationship was found between SPA and BI satisfaction in all groups. There was no significant difference in mean WPS scores (p=.067) between male and female athletes, but males did have a higher mean score (p=2.15) than females (p=1.84). Conclusion: These findings support previous research on the topics discussed and assist in filling a gap in research being these relationships have never been studied before in this population. These findings may provide medical professionals in the fields of sports medicine and sports psychology a better understanding of the relationship between these constructs. Word Count: 249.

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