# Prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among elite female beach volleyball players in the FIVB top 200

## TL;DR

Many elite female beach volleyball players experience high levels of anxiety and depression, linked to factors like financial insecurity and poor team communication.

## Contribution

This study quantifies mental health symptoms in female beach volleyball players and identifies psychosocial and structural stressors as key contributors.

## Key findings

- 71.2% of athletes reported clinically relevant depressive symptoms.
- 67.3% exceeded the clinical cut-off for trait anxiety.
- Financial insecurity and poor team communication significantly predicted psychological burden.

## Abstract

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common in elite sports but remain understudied in female professional beach volleyball. Unique stressors including financial insecurity, dyadic team structures, and public visibility may increase vulnerability to mental health issues.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms among female professional beach volleyball players and to investigate potential influencing factors such as training volume, financial security, and perceived social support.

This cross-sectional study included 52 professional female beach volleyball players ranked within the top 200 of the world ranking (mean age 26.14 ± 4.70 years) from German-speaking countries, the United States, and Canada. Data were collected using standardized self-report instruments, including the State Trait Anxiety Inventory Trait version (STAI-T) and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II). Additionally, psychosocial and structural stressors such as financial uncertainty, interpersonal team dynamics, and support from coaches and teammates were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify significant associations.

In total, 67.3% (n = 35) of athletes exceeded the clinical cut-off score for trait anxiety (STAI-T ≥ 44), and 71.2% (n = 37) reported depressive symptoms above the clinical threshold (BDI-II ≥ 14). Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were strongly correlated (r = 0.777, p < 0.001). Higher training volume correlated with more severe depressive symptoms (r = 0.450, p <0 .001), and several sport-related factors showed significant correlations with trait anxiety (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression identified poor team communication (p < 0.001) and financial insecurity (p = 0.026) as significant predictors of psychological burden, whereas international ranking showed no association with either anxiety or depression.

Elite female beach volleyball players exhibit high rates of clinically relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psychosocial stressors, structural insecurities and subjective success perceptions, rather than objective competitive success, appear to be key contributors. These findings underscore the need for targeted sport-psychological support, financial stabilization, and long-term preventive strategies tailored to the unique demands of elite beach volleyball.

71.2% of professional female beach volleyball players reported clinically relevant symptoms of self-reported depression.67.3% of athletes exceeded the clinical cut-off for trait anxiety.High training volume was significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms.Financial insecurity and poor team communication were significant predictors of increased psychological burden.

71.2% of professional female beach volleyball players reported clinically relevant symptoms of self-reported depression.

67.3% of athletes exceeded the clinical cut-off for trait anxiety.

High training volume was significantly associated with more severe depressive symptoms.

Financial insecurity and poor team communication were significant predictors of increased psychological burden.