The impacts of school closures and restriction of sport activities on high school student-athletes’ mental health during COVID-19 pandemic: A study of stressors, stress response, and life skills

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate high school student-athletes’ mental health, stressors, stress responses, and life skills (LS) during the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine the effect of stressors and LS on stress responses. An online survey was conducted from July to November 2020, and 1,348 student-athletes and 662 non-athletes who were in high schools in the western part of Japan participated. Findings illustrated that student-athletes’ mental health seemed to be worse compared to pre-COVID-19 data. The levels of athletes’ perceived stressors, stress responses, and LS were significantly different depending on gender, grade, and competitive level. Multiple regression analysis showed that perceived COVID-19-related stressors significantly related to stress responses while LS were a significant moderator of the relationship.