A comparison of the level of stress, anxiety, and depression in professional and novice pregnant female athletes(مقاله علمی وزارت علوم)
منبع:
Sport Sciences and Health Research, Volume ۱۶, Issue ۱,۲۰۲۴
95 - 104
حوزه های تخصصی:
Background: Pregnancy can be a special but potentially stressful time for women. The routine life of female athletes who become pregnant may be challenged, and professional athletes may be more likely to experience psychological disorders during this time.Aim: The objective of this study was to compare the stress, anxiety, and depression levels in professional and novice pregnant athletes.Materials and Methods: 106 female volleyball players (42 professional and 64 novices) were selected as the research sample, based on their competitive levels and study participation criteria. Data were collected using a personal information form and the DASS-21 questionnaire developed by Lovibond 1995.Results: The results of the MANOVA test showed that pregnant professional athletes had significantly higher levels of stress and depression compared to pregnant novice athletes (P≤0.05). Although professional athletes had higher levels of anxiety than novice female athletes, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups on this scale (P≤ 0.05).Conclusion: It seems that female athletes at high competitive levels experience increased psychological challenges because of the added responsibilities of motherhood, in addition to their sports commitments. It is recommended to prioritize physical and psychological interventions and strategies to enhance the mental well-being of these individuals.