Prevalence of Depression among Athletes in the United States International University Africa, Kenya

Abstract

This study investigates the prevalence of depression among athletes at USIU-A, examining its correlation with demographic and sports-related variables. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. The sample size was 71. The study was guided by George Engel's Biopsychosocial model and Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Utilizing the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire, data was collected to evaluate depressive symptoms among athletes. 27% of the participants showed critical depression levels, indicating the prevalence of depression. Further analysis showed a weak positive association between gender and the type of sport played (r = 0.108, p = 0.372), with no statistically significant association. The results indicated that depression is a prevailing issue among athletes and should be addressed as a clinical concern.