This master's thesis examines the mental health of figure skaters, with a focus on three central psychological challenges: depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Figure skating, due to early specialization, intensive training, aesthetic demands, and subjective judging, represents a demanding environment that can significantly affect athletes' mental well-being.
The introduction presents the broader research context and basic concepts that provide a framework for further discussion. It focuses on an overview of figure skating and some of its psychological characteristics, followed by a discussion of athletes’ mental health and a more detailed explanation of the theoretical foundations of depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
The discussion addresses the research questions. The results show that depressive symptoms occur primarily due to a combination of physiological, psychological, and social factors. Anxiety is strongly associated with internal pressures and the desire to please coaches and judges. Eating disorders are linked to the aesthetic demands of the sport, body image, and weight-related pressures. Coaches play a particularly important role, as their approach can act either as a protective factor or as a risk factor.
The thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of psychological burdens in figure skating. However, several limitations should be acknowledged, including the lack of literature directly addressing mental health in figure skating, reliance on self-reporting, and the relatively small and specific sample. These limitations highlight the need for further research, especially longitudinal and qualitative studies, that would explore athletes’ personal experiences and support the development of effective preventive programs.
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