Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.143

A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body? The Mental Health of Croatian Athletes Through the Lens of SMHAT-1 Screening

Tomislav Franić ; University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia *
Katarina Šore ; Teaching Institute for Public Health of Split-Dalmatia County, Split, Croatia
Stipe Drmić ; Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Frane Franić ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Darko Marčinko ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Objective: Sport is traditionally associated with
physical and psychological health, but contemporary
research shows that competitive sport
can also be a significant source of psychological
strain. The aim of this paper is to present the results
of the Croatian implementation and validation
of the IOC’s SMHAT-1 system and to open
a discussion on the mental health of Croatian
athletes, especially adolescents and young adults.
Materials and methods: This paper is based on the
Croatian validation of the Athlete Psychological
Strain Questionnaire (APSQ-Cro) and on a study conducted among Croatian competitive athletes
as part of SMHAT-1 screening. Athletes from different
sports and levels of competition took part
in the studies, and standardized questionnaires
were used to assess psychological strain, anxiety,
depression, sleep disorders, ADHD, alcohol consumption,
and other mental health risks. Results:
The findings show a significant presence of symptoms
of anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and
psychological distress among Croatian athletes.
Gender differences are particularly pronounced,
with female athletes more often exceeding cutoff
values on scales for anxiety, depression, PTSD,
and risky alcohol consumption. The validation of
APSQ-Cro demonstrated good reliability of the
instrument and the existence of two dominant
dimensions of psychological strain: intrapersonal
psychological stress and stress related to the
sporting environment. Conclusion: The mental
health of athletes is an important public health
and clinical issue that goes beyond the stereotype
of sport as an exclusively protective factor.
Early recognition of psychological strain and the
development of accessible prevention and intervention
programs are essential for preserving the
mental health, sporting performance, and longterm
functioning of young athletes. The Croatian
validation of the SMHAT-1 tool is an important
step toward a more systematic approach to mental
health in sport.

Keywords

mental health; athletes; adolescents; SMHAT-1; psychological stress

Hrčak ID:

352264

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352264

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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