Elite athletes are at increased risk for mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.

Perfectionistic traits are common in athletes, which often leads to unrealistic goals and expectations.

Sustaining elite status in competitive sports can take its toll on overall well-being.

Performance under pressure is front and center in the life of an athlete. Competitive drive, intrinsic motivation, and a goal-oriented focus are considered positive attributes for athletic success. Much has been written about the manifestations of performance pressures on athletes in individual and team sports. Research shows that long-term exposure to perceived stressors interferes with the ability to cope and psychological well-being (Andersson et al., 2025). A comprehensive review and meta-analysis from 2024 revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety in athletes is twice that of the general population (Khan et al., 2026). While these findings are not surprising, it’s deeply concerning as athletes continue to grapple with this dilemma in the elite sports environment.

Perfectionistic tendencies in athletes are tied to high performance expectations and intense levels of self-criticism. While striving for perfection may have a positive influence on goal-setting and performance, excessive worries about making mistakes or a fear of failure can negatively impact performance and create goal avoidance. This can lead to competitive anxiety, overtraining, and psychological fatigue (Dai et al., 2026). Elite athletes are trained to prioritize their performance over other aspects of their lives, including their health. This remains a conundrum as athletes are expected to simultaneously safeguard and risk their health to attain optimal performance outcomes (Nuetzel, 2025). When athletes reach the top of their game, the stressors........

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