Exploring the Prevalence of Mental Well-Being and Its Association With Mental Illness Among Elite Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The prevalence of flourishing, moderate well-being, and languishing among international elite athletes was 44.7%, 54.1%, and 1.2%, respectively.

• Sample consisted of 244 international elite athletes across nine countries
• Mean age was 21.41 years, with 52.0% men
• Cross-sectional study design was used
• The majority of athletes fell in the moderate well-being category (54.1%)

Elite athletes residing in Sweden were significantly more likely to be flourishing compared with those residing in Australia.

• Adjusted odds ratio = 2.81, 95% CI [1.51, 5.24], p = .001
• Swedish athletes were 2.81 times more likely to be flourishing than Australian athletes
• This comparison was made after adjustment for relevant covariates

Nonflourishing athletes were significantly more likely to screen positive for depression compared with flourishing athletes.

• Adjusted odds ratio = 5.94, 95% CI [2.66, 13.27], p < .001
• Nonflourishing athletes were approximately 5.94 times more likely to screen positive for depression
• The association remained significant after adjustment

Nonflourishing athletes were significantly more likely to screen positive for anxiety compared with flourishing athletes.

• Adjusted odds ratio = 4.72, 95% CI [2.12, 10.53], p < .001
• Nonflourishing athletes were approximately 4.72 times more likely to screen positive for anxiety
• The association remained significant after adjustment

Mental well-being and mental illness showed a significant inverse association in international elite athletes.

• Both depression and anxiety were more prevalent among nonflourishing athletes
• Results suggest that flourishing and mental illness represent related but distinct dimensions of mental health
• Findings support the dual-continuum model of mental health in elite athlete populations