Background There is increasing recognition of the prevalence and risk factors for mental health symptoms and disorders among adult elite athletes, with less research involving elite youth athletes. This scoping review aimed to characterise the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes who travel internationally and compete for their sport. Method Four databases were searched in March 2023. Inclusion criteria were studies with elite youth athlete populations (mean age 12–17 years) reporting mental health and well-being outcomes. Data from included studies were charted by outcome, and risk/protective factors identified. Results Searches retrieved 3088 records, of which 33 studies met inclusion criteria, encapsulating data from 5826 athletes (2538 males, 3288 females). The most frequently studied issue was disordered eating (k=16), followed by anxiety (k=7), depression (k=5) and mixed anxiety/depression (k=2). Caseness estimates (a symptom level where mental health treatment is typically indicated) for disordered eating were wide ranging (0%–14% for males; 11%–41% for females), whereas only two studies estimated caseness for depression (7% in a mixed-sex sample; 14% for males, 40% for females) and one for anxiety (8% for males, 28% for females). Common risk factors for mental ill-health included sex, athlete status (compared with non-athletes) and social/relationship factors (with coaches/parents/peers). Contradictory evidence was observed for elite/competition level, which was associated with higher and lower rates of disordered eating. Conclusion Further representative research into the mental health and well-being of elite youth athletes is needed to enhance understanding and guide prevention and intervention measures.

中文翻译：

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优秀青年运动员的心理健康和福祉：范围界定审查


背景 人们越来越认识到成年精英运动员心理健康症状和疾病的患病率和危险因素，但涉及青年精英运动员的研究较少。本次范围审查旨在描述出国旅行并参加体育比赛的精英青年运动员的心理健康和福祉。方法 2023 年 3 月检索了四个数据库。纳入标准是针对报告心理健康和幸福结果的精英青年运动员群体（平均年龄 12-17 岁）进行的研究。纳入研究的数据按结果绘制图表，并确定风险/保护因素。结果 搜索检索到 3088 条记录，其中 33 项研究符合纳入标准，囊括了 5826 名运动员（2538 名男性，3288 名女性）的数据。最常研究的问题是饮食失调 (k=16)，其次是焦虑 (k=7)、抑郁 (k=5) 和混合焦虑/抑郁 (k=2)。饮食失调的患病率估计（通常需要心理健康治疗的症状水平）范围很广（男性为 0%–14%；女性为 11%–41%），而只有两项研究估计了抑郁症的患病率（男性为 7%）。混合性别样本；男性 14%，女性 40%）和焦虑症（男性 8%，女性 28%）。精神疾病的常见危险因素包括性别、运动员身份（与非运动员相比）和社交/关系因素（与教练/父母/同伴）。对于精英/竞争水平观察到矛盾的证据，这与较高和较低的饮食失调率相关。结论 需要对优秀青少年运动员的心理健康和福祉进行进一步的代表性研究，以加深理解并指导预防和干预措施。