Download or read book The Relationship Between Demographic Characteristics and Stigma Toward Utilizing Mental Health Support Services in College Student Athletes written by Steven J. Orris and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Current research has suggested that college student-athletes are at an increased risk for experiencing mental illness but utilize mental health support services at a lower rate than the general college student population. Stigma toward mental illness has been identified as a factor that can influence student-athletes' decision to utilize mental health support services. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between the demographic variables of socioeconomic status, sport played, class, race and gender and levels of stigma toward mental illness and peers that utilize mental health support services. This study also investigated college student-athletes' perceived attitudes toward the benefits and barriers to utilizing mental health support services. The participants in this study were 141 NCAA student-athletes who completed an online survey assessing stigma and attitudes toward peers that utilize mental health support services. Follow-up interviews were conducted with seven participants to gain a deeper understanding of the salient attitudes toward the benefits and barriers to utilizing mental health support services. Analyses were conducted to identify relationships between demographic variables and high stigma levels. Results indicated that there was a significant relationship between sport played, class, and gender and stigma levels within the sample. Also, qualitative analysis indicated that self-awareness was identified as a perceived benefit to utilizing mental health support services, but mental health illiteracy, fear of being labelled, and stigma were perceived barriers to utilizing mental health support services in this sample. Findings from this study have implications for how college athletic departments deliver effective mental health support programs to their student-athletes.
Download or read book Examining the Relationship Between Stigma and Help seeking Attitudes Among Student athletes written by Lauren Vanhusen and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This study investigated the relationship between public stigma, self-stigma, and help-seeking attitudes in a sample of undergraduate student-athletes. Student-athletes appear to be at increased risk for developing mental health issues compared to their non-athlete counterparts (Etzel et al., 2006). However, student-athletes appear to underutilize available mental health services for fear of being labeled as mentally ill as well as other factors (Pinkerton, Hinz, and Barrow, 1989). The purpose of the current study is to explore two facets of stigma as a potential explanation for negative attitudes toward help-seeking and thus the underutilization of these mental health services. Sixty-six student-athletes completed a 10-minute paper-pencil survey. The survey included measures of self-stigma, public stigma, help-seeking attitudes, demographic variables, and an open-ended question regarding barriers to help-seeking. Results indicated that self-stigma mediated the relationship between public stigma and help-seeking attitudes, which replicates the mediated model found in Vogel et al. (2007). Self-stigma appears to explain how negative stereotypes about those who seek help are internalized to form negative attitudes toward help-seeking for student-athletes. Further, student-athletes noted barriers to help-seeking such as lack of time or knowledge of resources as well as fear of being labeled as mentally ill. Implications for research and practice are delineated.
Download or read book Mental Health Service Utilization Knowledge Stigma and Protective Factors in a College Student Sample written by Jasmine M. Morigney and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Students of color and student-athletes undergo unique stressors in college, such as discrimination and time constraints, that impact their mental health needs. They have shown more mental health stigma and less service utilization. This study explored these variables and groups using secondary data analyses from the 2019-2020 Healthy Minds Study (HMS). The current study hypothesized that utilization would be associated with stigma, knowledge, and resilience. Additionally, student-athletes and students of color would report less utilization and more stigma and resilience. Results indicated that students of color reported no difference in utilization and less stigma and resilience than White students. Student-athletes reported less utilization and more stigma and resilience. Resilience was found to be a moderator between mental health difficulties and utilization. Resiliency is an important component among aspects of mental health in college students. As such, this research provides important information about help-seeking habits and considerations for interventions in these populations.
Download or read book Student athletes Perceptions of Mental Illness and Attitudes Towards Help seeking written by Jordan David Barnard and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The negative effects of disclosing a history of mental illness and the need for mental health services are well documented in the professional literature (Corrigan, 2005). Being labeled as "mentally ill" can lead to negative stereotypes placed on the individual that lead to prejudice and discrimination (Corrigan, 2004). These negative effects of disclosing psychological disturbances have led to some individuals being hesitant to seek help, even if the individuals or those close to them feel it is needed (Thornicroft, 2006). College students are a vulnerable population due to the likelihood that they will experience their first psychological disturbance during their college years (Eisenberg, Golberstein, & Gollust, 2007), making access to mental health care crucial. College student-athletes may be even more at-risk for certain psychological disturbances, based on their unique demands and environmental stressors they face (Pinkerton, Hintz, & Barrow, 1989). College student-athletes appear to be underutilizing the mental health services available to them on college campuses (Watson & Kissinger, 2007). Prior studies have shown that college student-athletes are less likely to seek out mental health treatment than other college students (Watson, 2005). The purpose of this study was to see whether or not college student-athletes would exhibit more negative attitudes than student-nonathletes towards mental illness. This study also compared the attitudes toward seeking psychological help between athletes and non-athletes (using a measure developed for use with student-athletes and student-nonathletes by Watson, 2005). Scales that measure social distance, perceived devaluation and discrimination towards mental illness were used to operationalize stigma towards mental illness. The scales this study used to measure social distance (Martin et al., 2000) and perceived discrimination towards mental illness (Link, 1987) had never been used before in a student-athlete population. The potential roles that athletic identity, race, and gender play in treatment-seeking comfort were also examined.
Download or read book The Examination of the Attitudes and Stigma Toward Mental Health Services Held by Black College Student athletes and College Nonathletes written by Tony Spencer and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author's abstract: The primary purpose of the current study was to examine the differences in attitudes and stigma toward mental health services between Black college student-athletes and college nonathletes. The secondary purpose of the study was to examine any gender difference in attitudes and stigma toward mental health services between Black college student-athletes and college nonathletes. A Mann-Whitney U statistical analysis was used to compare participant results from the three stigma toward mental health services survey measurements (Komiya et al., 2000; Vogel et al., 2006; Vogel et al., 2009). The current study hoped to further advance the literature examining the attitudes and stigma toward mental health services held by racially diverse college student-athlete populations.
Download or read book Exploring Mental Health Help seeking Behaviors in Student athletes written by Geana R. Shemak and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduction: Adolescents and young adults experience a high level of mental health conditions.These disorders appear to be increasing in number and severity. The prevalence rate for 18-25-years-olds is 8.7% in 12 months. Mental health conditions are treatable, yet many people do not seek professional help. Seeking help from a professional source is particularly important for preventing, early detection, treatment, and recovery from mental health conditions. Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to demonstrate the prevalence of depression, explore student-athletes attitudes towards seeking mental health help, understand what factors may influence help-seeking behaviors, and explore the athlete's perceptions of the role that athletic trainers play in the assessment and referral process. Methods: An exploratory, concurrent mixed methods design was used. Survey data from the ATSPPH-SF and PHQ-9 were collected from collegiate student-athletes. A phenomenological approach will guide the qualitative research process. Semi-structured interviews will be audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using an interpretive thematic analytical approach. Study Participants: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes participating at the Divsion III (DIII) level. Results: The prevalence of depression was almost 42% in the study population. There was no relationship between PHQ-9 scores and sex. Attitudes towards seeking help were generally positive. Females tend to have more favorable attitudes than males, but this finding was not statistically significant. There was no relationhship between PHQ-9 scores and ATSPPH-SF scores. Barriers to help-seeking included perceived seriousness, stigma, lack of time, accessibility, prefer to handle issues on own, and cost. Facilitators to help-seeking included perceived and nee-problems that were serious enough to warrant help and a supportive network. Clinical Importance: As we continue to address the mental health crisis, it is imperative to understand what prevents student-athletes from seeking professional psychological help and develop supportive programs to help them overcome these barriers. Certified athletic trainers, coaches, and other athletic personel need to understand the seriousness of untreated mental health conditions and be educated to recognize when an athlete may be struggling with issues beyond their control. Knowing when to refer a student-athlete to a professional is essential in preventing potential unnecessary and irreversible consequences.
Download or read book Campus Mental Health Practices and the Stigma of Mental Illness written by Megan Krone and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Around half of undergraduate college students will experience mental illness to some extent during their academic careers, yet a low percentage of students experiencing signs and symptoms of mental illness will seek help despite the availability of proven, effective treatments. The field of higher education has demonstrated a genuine concern for individuals with mental illnesses and mental health care on campuses, yet implementation of practices that connect students to treatment is inconsistent and effectiveness is uncertain. This study searched for associations between campus practices and campus culture regarding mental illness. While institutions of higher education are using both traditional and emerging mental health practices, little research has been done to inform institutions which practices may be effective in increasing healthy behaviors, such as help seeking. This study focused on the stigma of mental illness due to its consistent, negative relationship with help-seeking behaviors. Stigmatizing attitudes of Student Affairs professionals was used as a measure of campus culture due to professionals' direct, consistent relationships with students and their ability to influence policies and procedures that affect support of student mental health and students with mental illness. The final sample of Student Affairs professionals included 125 professionals at over 80 institutions in over 30 states. Social stigma was measured using the newly developed Student Affairs Professionals Social Stigma Scale (SAPSSS) based on Corrigan's (2004) model of stigma. SAPSSS scores were analyzed to search for relationships between awareness of, referral to, and engagement in campus mental health practices; contact with individuals with mental illness; staff characteristics (level, area, length of employment); and institutional characteristics (type, size, affiliation, and designation). The results of this study include a list of campus mental health practices and support for the use of practices that target relationships, between individuals and between groups, in creating caring campus communities. While other practices may be effective in supporting or treating individuals with mental illness, practices that target relationships in educating members of the campus community to care for each other show the most potential for influencing campus culture to increase mental health on campuses at all levels.
Download or read book An Investigation of College Student athletes Mental Health Stigma Help seeking Attitudes Depression Anxiety and Life Stress Scores Using Structural Equation Modeling written by Saundra M. Tabet and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 330 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Keywords: Student-athletes, intercollegiate athletics, mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, depression, anxiety, life stress, and structural equation modeling.
Download or read book Exploring the Relationship Between Team Characteristics and Mental Health Symptoms Amongst Student Athletes written by and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 45 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Depression and anxiety are disabling conditions that are particularly prevalent amongst young adults (Wolanin, Hong, Marks, Panchoo, & Gross, 2016). Student athletes must cope with extensive time demands that go beyond those of ordinary young adults, consequently putting them at increased risk to experiencing mental health issues. Numerous factors may influence an athlete's well being, such as gender, injury, and type of sport. This study tests these various factors but also extends previous literature by analyzing the effects of team dynamics on student athlete mental health. An anonymous multi-part questionnaire was sent out to all JMU athletes in the Fall of 2017. Chi square statistical tests were used to determine whether there was a mathematical association between team characteristics and the presence or absence of mental health symptoms. There was a significant correlation between 'pressure' and anxiety (X2 = 13.403, p = .009). In addition, 'inability to trust teammates' and 'not sharing goals of personal improvement' also contributed to increased levels of anxiety. There was a significant correlation between serious injuries and depression (X2 = 4.325, p = .038). Lack of time for social life and inability to effectively manage conflicts within the team both contributed to increased levels of depression as well. Fortunately, the data showed that JMU's student athletes had higher mental health scores than American college students as a whole, according to prior research, and they do feel as though the resources available to them are adequate.
Download or read book An Evaluation of Mental Health Needs of and Services Provided to Intercollegiate Athletes written by Steven Craig Caberto and published by . This book was released on 1989 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Establishing Foundational Data on the Mental Health Functioning Stress Mood Self Regulation Capacity and Perceptions of Coaching Climate of Canadian Interuniversity Sport CIS Student Athletes written by Krista Van Slingerland and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mental health has become increasingly important on post-secondary campuses across Canada, as the majority of university students represent the cohort of the Canadian populace that is most vulnerable to mental illness, substance abuse, and suicide. Evidence suggests that student-athletes, a visible and diverse sub-population of university students, are at equal risk of experiencing a mental illness (Reardon & Factor, 2010), but could be even more vulnerable to mental health challenges than their non-athlete peers (Neal et al., 2013; Watson & Kissinger, 2007), given the additional demands and pressures that they face. Problematic though, is that the culture of athletics and prevailing stigma surrounding mental illness can lead student-athletes to overreport their well-being and deny distress (Steiner, Denny, & Stemmle, 2010), as well as underutilize the mental health services available to them on campus (Lopez & Levy, 2013). Although researchers have investigated the mental health of American college students (e.g., Eklund, Dowdy, Jones, & Furlong, 2011) and attempted to understand the vulnerability of National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) student-athletes to specific mental illnesses (e.g., eating disorders and substance abuse, Reardon & Factor, 2010), no study to date has investigated the mental health of student-athletes competing in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), particularly not using a holistic lense. As such, the overall purpose of the present study was to provide foundational data relating to Canadian student-athletes' mental health functioning and other relevant indices such as their stress levels, mood, capacity to self-regulate, and perceptions of coaching climate. The first objective was to understand (a) the level and prevalence of mental health functioning (MHF) of student-athletes competing in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) system at two different time points in their academic year (Fall = Time 1, Winter = Time 2) and (b) whether significant differences existed in their levels of MHF (emotional, social, and psychological well-being) between Time 1 and Time 2 and based on gender, alcohol use, living situation, year of study, and type of sport. Results indicated that the student-athletes from 30 different Canadian universities experienced moderate to high levels of MHF at both time points, including those who reported a previous mental illness diagnosis. Furthermore, there was a higher prevalence of flourishing compared to languishing student-athletes at both time points. Repeated measures MANOVA tests indicated that student-athletes' MHF did not significantly differ across time based on their gender, alcohol use, living situation, year of study, and/or type of sport. However, when a 5-way MANOVA test was conducted with the larger sample Time 1 data to have more statistical power, results revealed a significant main effect of gender, suggesting that women had significantly lower levels of social well-being than men during the first part of the academic/athletic year (see Article 1). The second objective was to examine relationships between variables that could potentially influence the MHF of CIS student-athletes, namely, their stress, mood, self-regulation capacity, and perceptions of the coaching climate. A path analysis revealed that the student-athletes' MHF was significantly impacted by the frequency of their maladaptive reactions to stressors, mood states, capability to self-regulate, and the climate fostered by coaches. The third aim was to determine if changes in student-athletes' self-regulation capacity over the academic/athletic year were related to changes in the other variables of interest. A t-test was first run to establish whether there was a change in their self-regulation capacity from Time 1 to Time 2, however, their levels remained steady over these time points. A subsequent path analysis showed that change scores in self-regulation capacity were not significantly related to change scores in MHF, stress, mood, and perceptions of coaching climate (see Article 2). The hope is that the results of this study may inform the strategic directions of mental health promotion and maintenance programming designed for CIS student-athletes in the future.
Download or read book Making the Connection written by Eddie Comeaux and published by IAP. This book was released on 2015-05-01 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Making the Connection: Data-Informed Practices in Academic Support Centers for College Athletes is practical and ideal for those who seek to use research to inform their individual and organizational practices. This volume is primarily intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, though scholars, researchers, teachers, practitioners, coaches, athletics administrators, and advocates of intercollegiate athletics will also find it useful. It comprises a series of chapters that cover a wide range of evidence-based approaches designed to enhance the practices of those who work closely with college athletes. Given the breadth of the field overall, this single volume is not exhaustive, but the current concerns, challenges, and themes of relevance to higher education researchers, practitioners, and others are well addressed. The intent of the text is to spark conversation about how college and university constituents can reframe their thinking about the importance of innovative research to careful, informed practice. Likewise, the contributors hope that it will inspire greater awareness and action among practitioners, as well as advance scholarship in the area of athletics. Each chapter includes current research, and in some cases theoretical perspectives, which should assist practitioners enhance the well-being of college athletes. Each chapter also offers guided discussion questions that are ideal for use as the basis of further conversation in the classroom setting. Adopters of this text will benefit from leading voices in the field who delve into complex issues, shedding new light and presenting unique opportunities for understanding a diversity of perspectives on evidence-based practices in support centers for athletes. In all, this volume provides a rich portrait of data-driven practices designed to assist practitioners and others who work closely with college athletes, and lays the groundwork for an ambitious and long overdue agenda to further develop innovative research that informs the practices of athletics stakeholders and improves the quality of experiences for college athletes.
Download or read book Mind Body and Sport written by NCAA and published by . This book was released on 2014-11-01 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Examining Practitioners Perspectives on Access to Professional Psychological Help for Division I Male Athletes written by Nicole Vana and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Author's abstract: Male athletes are less likely than female athletes to seek out support services (Barnard, 2016) despite experiencing a myriad of clinical and subclinical concerns including depression (Davoren & Hwang, 2014; Wolanin et al., 2016), anxiety (Davoren & Hwang, 2014), eating disorders (Joy et al., 2016; Sundgot-Borgen & Torstveit, 2004), and substance use (NCAA, 2018). To combat the increasing rates of mental health concerns, support services are becoming more readily available for collegiate athletes (Moore, 2016). However, despite the recent effort in increasing athlete mental health support, many male athletes in particular remain reluctant to seek out such services (Barnard, 2016). Prior research has focused extensively on prevalence rates of mental health-related concerns and help-seeking barriers that prevent collegiate athletes from seeking out help (Gulliver et al., 2012; Yousaf et al., 2015), yet research remains nonexistent in exploring these areas in male collegiate athletes from a practitioner’s perspective. Thus, the present study expanded on previous research by examining the experiences of 10 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I practitioners working with male athletes and what strategies are most effective in making support services more accessible for them. A generic qualitative approach was employed and three major themes were identified: (a) presenting concerns, (b) influences to help-seeking, and (c) strategies to increase accessibility. The results of the study indicate that male collegiate athletes present with a number of mental health- and sport-related concerns, but are more likely to seek out support for sport-related concerns. Furthermore, several help-seeking influences, including barriers and facilitators, affect a male athletes’ willingness to seek out such services including stigma, coach and sport environment, cultural factors, lack of time and flexibility, and the source of referral. Strategies to address the aforementioned influences include destigmatization, coach training, practitioner diversity, service awareness and education, relationship building, and additional practitioners. Practical implications and recommendations for future research are also discussed.
Download or read book Counseling and Psychological Services for College Student athletes written by Edward F. Etzel and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book provides numerous practical and effective ways to assist individuals of this growing on-campus population meet the issues and personal challenges they face today. Chapters address a wide range of topics: general consultation; ethics; life skills; approaches to counselling specific groups; women student-athletes; male student-athletes; African-descendent student-athletes; GLBTQ student-athletes; approaches to counselling on special concerns college student-athlete experience and academics transitions; disordered eating; clinical depression; the athlete student-to-be and the new student-athlete; learning disabilities; injury and disability; alcohol and drug use. This comprehensive, insightful view of the increasingly demanding intercollegiate athletics environment will be particularly useful for university-based and private practice counsellors and psychologists, student service professionals, CHAMPS/Life Skills co-ordinators, intercollegiate athletics academic advisors, graduate students in counselling and psychology, coaches, and athletic trainers.
Download or read book A Predictive Model of Coach athlete Attachment and Emotion Regulation on Student athlete Aggression Alcohol Use and Psychological Distress written by Stephen P. Hebard and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Described as an "at-risk" population, student-athletes are predisposed to mental health distress due to the various demands associated with their athletic status (Pinkerton, Hinz, & Barrow, 1987; Ferrante & Etzel, 2009). The National Athletic Training Association, (Neal et al., 2013) in their plan for referral of student-athletes to psychological services, reported that the stressors associated with balancing academic and athletic responsibilities might trigger or exacerbate psychological concerns. In fact, researchers have reported that 10-15% of student-athletes experience psychological distress that warrants counseling services (Hinkle, 1994), an estimation that has been described as "conservative" (Watson, 2005). Although an area of clinical practice entitled, "sports counseling," exists in theory, counselors have little clarity about the unique and specific mental health needs of athletes and how they may provide optimal services to this population. Emotion regulation, a construct primarily discussed in sport as a key factor in optimal performance (e.g. Uphill, McCarthy, & Jones, 2009), has yet to be discussed as a significant influence on factors of student-athlete mental health, including the reported high prevalence of alcohol use and alcohol-related consequences (e.g. Nelson & Wechsler, 2001; Rexroat, 2014), aggression (e.g. Boeringer, 1999; Crossett, Benedict, and McDonald, 1995), and psychological distress (e.g. Storch, Storch, Killiany, & Roberti, 2005) among student-athletes. Attachment theorists have determined that one's conscious and unconscious ability to regulate emotions from infancy to adulthood is heavily influenced by one's experiences in close relationships (Diamond & Aspinwall, 2003; Cassidy, 1994; Sroufe & Waters, 1977). According to Davis & Jowett (2014; 2013), the coach-athlete relationship is indicative of an attachment bond; however, researchers have yet to determine the influence of the coach-athlete attachment relationship on an athlete's ability to regulate emotions. The purpose of this study was to: (a) validate and confirm the factor structure of Davis and Jowett's (2013) Coach-Athlete Attachment Scale (CAAS); (b) test the overall fit of a hypothesized model of student-athlete emotion regulation, and (c) determine the degree to which student-athlete emotion regulation mediates coach-athlete attachment and aggression, alcohol use, and psychological distress. The hypothesized model of student-athlete emotion regulation was founded upon an understanding of Attachment Theory as the developmental pathway to adaptive adult emotion regulation. It was posited that emotion regulation would mediate the relationship between coach-athlete attachment and prevalent, negative factors of mental health distress among student-athlete populations. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Path Analysis were utilized to confirm the factor structure of the CAAS and test a hypothesized model with a sample of 189 NCAA Division I student-athletes. With a limited sample size, the model provided a marginal fit for the data. Further research involving the CAAS is necessary to establish validity of the avoidance scale specifically. A revised model improved model fit, although the resulting model still only provided a marginal fit for the data. Still, difficulties in emotion regulation fully mediated the relationship between coach-athlete attachment anxiety and aggression and partially mediated coach-athlete attachment anxiety and alcohol use consequences as well as coach-athlete attachment anxiety and psychological distress. Implications for counselors, counselor educators, and future research were discussed after data analysis was completed. The findings of the study provide initial evidence that the coach-athlete relationship and subsequent experiences of emotion regulation may have a direct influence on individual psychological distress. Further, athletics programs should consider utilizing individual counseling that targets difficulties in emotion regulation as a way to support student-athletes struggling with aggression, alcohol use, or psychological distress."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.
Download or read book Exploring Mental Health in Sport written by Jessica Murphy and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Student-athletes are at high risk for poor mental health. Leaders within the varsity sport environment influence athlete mental health and help-seeking. This dissertation explored the behaviors, perspectives and needs of athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers as it pertains to mental health in sport. Three studies were conducted, the first utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore factors associated with coach-athlete conversations about mental health. A coach's Attitude towards having a conversation with an athlete significantly influenced their Intention to do so. Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) significantly influenced the relationship between Social Norms and Intention. Both PBC and Social Norms had a significant relationship with the Behavior (having a conversation about mental health with an athlete). The second study applied a conceptual model from Horn's Working Model of Coach Effectiveness to explore how an athlete's perception of coach behavior impacts attitudes and help-seeking behaviors. Psychological distress levels influenced an athlete's Perception of their coach's behavior. Openness to help-seeking was significantly related to help-seeking Behaviors and influenced the relationship between personal characteristics and help-seeking. Perception of coach behaviors influenced the relationship between psychological distress and help-seeking from a coach. The last study sought to determine the acceptance of an online varsity sport-specific mental health resource. Preliminary results were promising; The PEER Network was frequently used over the study period and participants had positive and supportive feedback. Overall, results from the three studies suggest that perceived ability and social support may influence whether coach-athlete conversations about mental health occur. Due to the effects of these variables, coach mental health training should focus on improving the skills required for these conversations and normalizing mental health in sport. As an athlete's perception of coach behavior mediated the relationship between psychological distress and help-seeking, training should also focus on clear ways to show athletes that coaches are supportive of mental health. Athlete-specific training should try and improve attitudes towards help-seeking and highlight the value from seeking help. The PEER Network may be an easily accessible and context-specific way of achieving these educational goals for members of the varsity athletic community.
