Inside edge – prevalence and factors associated with symptoms of anxiety/depression in professional cricketers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to i) determine the prevalence of anxiety/depression symptoms in professional cricketers and ii) identify factors associated with symptoms of anxiety/depression. One-hundred and seventy-seven (n = 177, response rate of 76%) professional cricketers completed the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Odd ratios (OR) for anxiety/depression symptoms were related to players’ career, family and education. Prevalence of symptoms of anxiety/depression was 59% (n = 104/177). Anxiety/depression symptoms increased when players were contracted for more than 2 years (OR: 5.0; 95% CI: 1.2–21.3; p = 0.028) and if they played their last offseason overseas (OR: 3.5; 95% CI: 1.3–9.6; p = 0.013). Anxiety/depression symptoms decreased by 70% when players made “productive use” of their time in the offseason (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–0.9; p = 0.036) and contracted for 2 years (OR: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1–1.0; p = 0.049). These findings can be incorporated into cricket mental health literacy programmes to improve awareness and understanding, and to encourage early help-seeking.