TY - JOUR T1 - A cross-sectional study of anxiety and depression caseness in female competitive figure skaters in Sweden JF - BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine JO - BMJ OPEN SP EX MED DO - 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001491 VL - 9 IS - 1 SP - e001491 AU - Moa Jederström AU - Sara Agnafors AU - Christina L Ekegren AU - Kristina Fagher AU - Håkan Gauffin AU - Laura Korhonen AU - Jennifer Park AU - Armin Spreco AU - Toomas Timpka Y1 - 2023/03/01 UR - http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/9/1/e001491.abstract N2 - Objectives Little is known about figure skaters’ mental health. This study aimed to describe anxiety and depression caseness (defined as a screening condition qualifying for psychiatric examination) in competitive figure skaters and analyse factors associated with such caseness.Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in April 2019 among all competitive figure skaters in the south-eastern region of Sweden (N=400). The primary outcomes were anxiety caseness, measured using the short-form Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and depression caseness, measured using the WHO-5 index. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to determine the association between anxiety caseness and explanatory factors.Results In total, 36% (n=142) of the invited skaters participated. Only females (n=137), mean age 12.9 (SD 3.0) years) were selected for analysis. Of the participating skaters, 47% displayed anxiety caseness and 10% depression caseness. Overweight body image perception (OR 5.9; 95% CI 2.0 to 17.6; p=0.001) and older age (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4; p=0.005) were associated with anxiety caseness. Skaters reporting no caseness were younger than those reporting only anxiety caseness (mean age difference −1.9 years; 95% CI −3.1 to −0.7; p=0.001) or anxiety and depression caseness (OR −3.5 years; 95% CI −5.6 to −1.5 years; p<0.001).Conclusion Anxiety caseness was associated with overweight body image perception and older age in female competitive figure skaters. Older skaters reported generally worse mental health. More research on the mental health of figure skaters is warranted, considering comorbidity and focusing on those needing further assessment and support.Data are available on reasonable request. According to the Swedish Transparency and Secrecy Act, all filled-in questionnaires are public acts. The material may be shared on requests ensuring that the confidentiality demands can be handled. ER -