Elucidation and application of effective psychological support for vulnerable athletes

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19517
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59020:Sports sciences-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University (2023); Juntendo University (2020-2022)
• Principal Investigator: Yamaguchi Shinji 東京女子医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (60847630)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: メンタルヘルス / 傷つきやすさ / 抑うつ症状 / 希死念慮

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research project is to comprehensively understand vulnerability among university athletes and university students and to elucidate the mechanisms related to vulnerability. Vulnerability is associated with stress responses such as depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, and helplessness. In addition to stress responses, the relationship with suicidal ideation was also revealed, suggesting that people who are easily hurt are more likely to have thoughts such as “I want to die.” This research project expanded its scope by developed a scale to measure vulnerability that can be used not only for athletes (Athletic Vulnerability Scale) but also for university students (Emotional Vulnerability Scale).

Free Research Field

健康心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

傷つきやすさは抑うつ症状や無気力などのストレス反応と関連しており、傷つきやすい者ほどメンタルヘルスの悪化に結びつきやすいことが示唆された。また、傷つきやすい者ほど希死念慮の得点が高いことが明らかになっている。身体的な傷と違って、心理的な傷は目には見えないものではあるが、まずは個人の傷つきやすい状態を理解し、他者に相談をしたり、リフレッシュといったストレスを緩和してあげることで傷つきやすい者でもメンタルヘルスの予防や、若年層の自殺予防に寄与することが考えられる。