Abstract
The world was struck by turmoil as the COVID-19 virus surged to the surface. Affecting the lives of many. In a matter of days, the process of daily living got a new meaning. The new lifestyle of living consisted of wearing masks, self-quarantining for fourteen days, and socially distancing six feet apart. From the perspective of a college student, life was flipped upside down. Classes were moved online, and students were asked to not be on campuses across the country for months on end. Collegiate student-athletes had it much rougher. Due to the global pandemic multiple sport seasons were cancelled and any hope of post-season championship play was gone. Due to the circumstances of COVID-19, the mental health of collegiate-student athletes has been impacted. The research design was a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collected through a survey. The data from the study focused on pre-COVID-19 (fall of 2019) and during COVID-19 (fall of 2020) which can be documented as in-season and out-of-season for student-athletes. The study examined and identify if there are correlations between stress levels, GPA, credit load, and emotional state through the lens of anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic had continued spreading mayhem, the student-athlete’s grades were stable compared with fall semester of 2019. Moreover, the results of anxiety and depression included that a large quantity of student-athletes experienced none or mild cases. In conclusion, student-athletes were precisely impacted in regard to mental well-being from the COVID-19 pandemic. Primarily from an academic and stress standpoint rather than anxiety and depression.
Date Capstone Completed
4-2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Masters of Science in Leadership Education: Sport Management
Department
Leadership Education
Advisor
Steven Baule
Location
Winona, Minnesota
Recommended Citation
Balliu, Jacob, "COVID-19’s Influence on Mental Health Among Collegiate Student-Athletes" (2021). Leadership Education Capstones. 53.
https://openriver.winona.edu/leadershipeducationcapstones/53
