The prevalence of common mental disorders and its relationship with mental toughness in professional South African rugby players

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between common mental disorders and mental toughness in professional South African rugby players. A cross-sectional survey design was used by administering a questionnaire and preliminary and bivariate analyses were conducted. The inclusion criteria were professional rugby players who are able to communicate in English. The results indicated that, in general, these players (N = 215) portray significant mental toughness (M = 5.69) on a 7-point scale. Anxiety/depression and distress measured the lowest (M = 1.65) of all the common mental disorders measured in this study. Furthermore, the results indicated a positive relationship between mental toughness and sound sleep (r = .262). Negative relationships were found between mental toughness and all other common mental disorders with the highest relationship being with anxiety/depression positive² (r = –.423). Other significant relationships were found with anxiety/depression (r = –.401), distress (r = –.259), and common mental disorders problems in general (r = –.220). The results indicated that the management of teams and clinicians need to look at specific aspects, such as alcohol consumption among players, the implications of alcohol use on performance, but also mental wellbeing in general.