Digital media and mental health in adolescent athletes

Radha Fiedler; Jahan Heidari; Tim Birnkraut; Michael Kellmann

doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102421

Digital media and mental health in adolescent athletes

Psychol Sport Exerc. 2023 Jul:67:102421. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102421. Epub 2023 Mar 11.

Authors

Radha Fiedler¹, Jahan Heidari², Tim Birnkraut³, Michael Kellmann⁴

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: radha.fiedler@rub.de.
² Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: jahan.heidari@rub.de.
³ Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address: tim.birnkraut@rub.de.
⁴ Faculty of Sport Science, Department of Sport Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Gesundheitscampus-Nord 10, 44801, Bochum, Germany; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Blair Drive, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia. Electronic address: michael.kellmann@rub.de.

PMID: 37665874
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102421

Abstract

Although digital media are increasingly important for adolescent athletes, few studies explore their influence on mental health in this population. This study aimed to examine this relationship in 591 German adolescent athletes (aged 12-19 years) from 42 different sports. Longer daily social media usage was connected to increased negative affect and dysfunctional eating patterns. Similar results were found for cognitive-behavioral symptoms of excessive media usage and mental health. Structural equation modeling revealed these relationships were mediated by social comparison and quality of sleep. Higher athletic performance level was related to increased social comparison, but not to quality of sleep, negative affect, and dysfunctional eating. The negative relationship between excessive media usage and sleep was stronger in competitive and elite than in recreational athletes. Results imply digital media should receive attention when aiming to improve mental health in athletes. Relevant targets for future intervention could be social comparison and sleep.

Keywords: Competitive sports; Smartphone usage; Stress; Talent development; Well-being.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Athletes* / psychology
Athletic Performance
Feeding Behavior
Female
Germany
Humans
Male
Mental Health*
Sleep
Social Media*