High prevalence of harmful drinking habits and gambling among professional rugby players: mental health symptoms and lifestyle risks among New Zealand Super Rugby players-a cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Objectives: Determining the prevalence of mental health and lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, gambling, family violence and anger management) in New Zealand (NZ) male professional rugby players.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey of mental health symptoms and lifestyle risk factors in male professional rugby players in NZ.

Methods: Players from all five NZ men's Super Rugby Franchises were invited to complete an online questionnaire (SportCHAT) measuring demographic status and mental health symptoms. Descriptive and interferential statistical analyses were used to identify the most prevalent mental health and lifestyle risk factors.

Results: 105 players participated in the study (response rate 52.5%). 51.4% of players were either at moderate or high risk for alcohol-related harm (defined as potential health, social, legal or financial problems linked to alcohol consumption). In comparison, 4.8% reported recreational drug use and 5% reported smoking tobacco. Twenty players (19%) reported engaging in gambling, with five of these reporting problematic gambling. 21% of players reported symptoms of depression, but none reached the 'mild depression' threshold of the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression. Younger players (aged 20-29) were more likely to report symptoms of depression than older players (aged 30-39). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 17.1%. 66.7% of these players reported minimal symptoms (GAD-7 score 0-4) and 33.3% reported mild symptoms (GAD-7 score 5-9). Family violence was reported by 2.9% of respondents, while 12.4% reported issues with anger management. There were no significant differences between ethnic groups.

Conclusion: There is a higher prevalence of alcohol misuse and gambling, but lower reported rates of depression and anxiety symptoms in this cohort when compared with the general population.