Help-Seeking and Help-Giving In Student-Athletes: Efficacy and Quality
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Date
2022-07-07
Authors
Sanford, Kimberly
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East Carolina University
Abstract
Mental health concerns are growing within collegiate athletics. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate (1) help-seeking and help-giving sources of athletes, (2) the quality of athlete help-giving, (3) and the ability of self-efficacy, other-efficacy, and RISE to predict help-seeking and help-giving sources and the quality of athlete help. An online survey (comprised of efficacy beliefs, help-seeking and help-seeking intentions, and an open-ended help-giving quality question) was completed by 124 Division 1 women’s soccer players (M = 19.91 SD =1.36). The open-ended help-giving quality question was rated using the teen Mental Health First Aid Action Plan. Frequency counts revealed that student-athletes were most likely to seek help from mental health professionals (82.3%) and teammates (77.4%). They were also most likely to refer others to mental health professionals (88.7%) and other teammates (70.2%). Athlete’s help-giving quality was moderate (M = 4.78 on a range of 0-10). Hierarchal regressions revealed self-efficacy significantly predicted help-seeking (b = .233 p < .05) and help-giving (b = .657, p < .05). Further, self-efficacy (b = .796, p < .05) and other-efficacy (b = -.106, p < .05) predicted help-giving quality. Results from this study support the need for adequate mental health resources for student-athletes and a need for increased training to better prepare athletes to feel confident to assist their peers with mental health issues.