Volume 29, Issue 159, May 2025

The Impact of Stress Coping Strategies on Depression Risk Among Elite Athletes with Chronic Somatic Conditions Recovery: A Systematic Review

Jakub Leicht^1♦, Aleksandra Kossakowska², Karolina Kossakowska³, Katarzyna Czechowicz⁴, Aisha Hassan⁵, Sara Hassan⁶, Szymon Bienia⁷, Wafa Al-Batool⁸, Izabela Zarecka⁹, Klaudia Konieczna¹⁰, Katarzyna Podsiadła¹¹

¹Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
²Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
³Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
⁴Medical University of Lublin, Aleje Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
⁵Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland
⁶Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
⁷Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
⁸Wroclaw Medical University, wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
⁹Wroclaw Medical University, wyb. Ludwika Pasteura 1, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
¹⁰Medical University of Silesia, Dr. Henryka Jordana 19, 41-808 Zabrze, Poland
¹¹National Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Woloska 137, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Jakub Leicht, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01- 938 Warsaw, Poland

ABSTRACT

The current study examined the predictive role of specific coping strategies, in relation to depression severity, in a sample of elite athletes with a chronic physical injury. We used a mixed methods approach and found that problemsolving and meaning-making, active engagement strategies were negatively related to depressive symptom, whereas avoidance strategies were positively related to emotional distress. Our findings suggest that athlete-targeted interventions to improve mental health should be directed towards increasing concrete coping strategies and strengthening social support. Through the right techniques, athletes can develop emotional resilience and improve their quality of life, despite going through health conditions that have an impact on their lives.

Keywords: Adaptive Stress Coping Strategies, Depression Risk in Sports, Mental Health of Elite Athletes, Chronic Conditions in Sports, Sports Psychology

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e71ms3563

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i158.e71ms3563

Published: 25 May 2025