Psychological Violence and Mental Health Outcomes in NextGen Athletes: Moderating Role of Mental Performance Skills.

This study aimed to (a) identify NexGen athletes' levels of mental health, anxiety, and depressive symptoms; (b) determine associations between sport type, psychological violence, mental performance, and athletes' mental illness and mental health; and (c) assess whether mental performance moderates these associations. A total of 318 NextGen athletes completed an online survey. Results showed that 19.8% and 21.4% reported clinical anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively, and 45.3% were flourishing. Participating in an aesthetic sport was significantly associated with lower mental health. Only peer psychological violence was associated with higher mental illness scores and lower mental health. Higher mental performance was associated with less anxiety and depressive symptoms and higher mental health. Mental performance moderated the association between psychological violence from authority figures and anxiety symptoms when levels of authority-figure violence were low. Findings emphasize the importance of strengthening athletes' mental performance and addressing psychological violence through education and systemic safeguards.