Comorbid Affective Symptomatology and Neurocognitive Performance in College Athletes

• DOI: 10.1017/s1355617721000412
• Publication Date: 2021-05-05T09:09:16Z
• Authors: Garrett A. Thomas; Erin T. Guty; Kaitlin E. Riegler; Peter A. Arnett
• Keywords: Neurocognitive; Depression

The current study aims to examine the prevalence rates and relationship of symptoms depression, anxiety, comorbid depression/anxiety with neurocognitive performance in college athletes at baseline. We hypothesized a priori that mood disturbance groups would perform worse than healthy controls, group performing worst overall.Eight hundred thirty-one (M = 620, F 211) collegiate completed comprehensive neuropsychological test battery baseline which included self-report measures anxiety depression. Athletes were separated into four [Healthy Control (HC) (n 578), Depressive Symptoms Only 137), Anxiety 54), Comorbid Depressive/Anxiety 62)] based on their depression scores. Athletes' functioning was analyzed via Z score composites Attention/Processing Speed Memory.One-way analysis variance revealed that, compared HC athletes, performed significantly but not Memory. However, those depressive only different from one another or outcomes. Chi-square analyses greater proportion all three affective neurocognitively impaired group.These results demonstrate depressive/anxiety should be identified, as poorer cognitive could complicate post-concussion interpretation. Thus, assessing for is essential obtain an accurate measurement functioning. Further, given negative health outcomes associated symptomatology, especially comorbidities, it important provide care appropriate.