Depressive symptom profiles in Icelandic team sport athletes : Nine quantitative case analyses over a 6-month period

Abstract

Most studies to-date have used mean difference analyses to explore group differences in depressive symptoms among athletes. However, these traditional group mean analyses may mask important information concerning symptom profiles such as the severity, type, and number of symptoms. In this study, we examined idiographic depressive symptom profiles in nine Icelandic team sport athletes with recurrent clinically significant depressive symptoms (clinical symptoms at baseline and six-month follow-up) and those with depressive symptoms only at one time point. The aim was to explore depressive symptom patterns in these two groups and their relationship with daily functioning and changes in sport-specific factors. Among those with recurrent clinical symptoms, depressive symptom profiles were stable, both in terms of type and severity of symptoms, while those with clinically significant symptoms observed only at one time point showed generally fewer symptoms, symptom profiles were more variable, and total symptom scores were less severe. Interestingly, no clear associations were observed between sport-specific variables, such as satisfaction with the head coach or subjective evaluation of athletic performance, and depressive symptoms, as several cases reported satisfaction in these areas despite significant depressive symptoms. This idiographic approach highlights the need for targeted and continuous assessment to better understand depressive symptoms in athletes.