Date of Award
Summer 8-17-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Kinesiology (EdD)
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Matthew Buns
Second Advisor
Aaron Aslakson
Third Advisor
Eric LaMott
Abstract
Background: Mental health and well-being are essential to being able to perform one’s best in career, academics, relationships, and sport (Egan, 2019). In young adults ages 18- to 25- years old, there is a growing prevalence in the types, severity, and percentage of mental illness. This is the age group of traditional college students and student-athletes, and it is highly recognized (Neal et al., 2013).
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between anxiety and depression levels with mental health screenings. What contribution do mental health screenings make towards decreasing levels of anxiety and depression?
Methods: College student-athletes (n=23) who were members of an organized women’s hockey athletic team at a small college located in the northeast region of the United States were recruited to participate in this study. For twenty-two weeks the participants were asked to fill out a hospital anxiety and depression scale and to conduct mental health check-ins. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in depression and anxiety scores over the course of a 11-week intervention.
Results: The intervention did not lead did not lead to any statistically significant changes in anxiety scores over time, F(1.201, 27.615) = 3.844, p = 0.053. partial η2 = .143, with anxiety scores changing from baseline (pre-) (M = 16.67, SD = 39.49) to 5 weeks (M = 10.67, SD =25.5) to end (post-) (M = 11.83, SD = 28.44). The intervention did not lead to any statistically significant changes in depression scores over time, F (1.96, 44.96 = 2.66, p = 0.082. partial η2 = .104, with depression scores changing from baseline (pre-) (M = 6.33, SD = 15.081) to 5 weeks (M = 5.42, SD =13.233) to end (post-) (M = 6.92, SD = 16.958).
Conclusion: In conclusion, this research has provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of mental health check ins as a proactive approach to promoting well-being and early intervention.