2019 Volume 65 Issue 2 Pages 136-148
Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop a vulnerability scale for university athletes (the Athletic Vulnerability Scale), examine the reliability and validity of the scale, and clarify the basic attributes and related factors concerning the target population.
Design: Cross-sectional design was used. A mixed method was adopted; collecting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data.
Methods: We surveyed 363 Japanese university athletes (193 males, 170 females; mean age 19.0 years; SD=1.07).
Results: Factor analysis returned 12 items across three factors, with reliability and validity verified. The first factor was “vulnerability due to being denied or ignored from others”, the second was “vulnerability due to inconsistent performance”, and the third was “vulnerability due to low interpersonal evaluation”. Females demonstrated higher vulnerability than males. Vulnerability was associated with depression; people with high vulnerability are at risk of developing maladaptive conditions such as withdrawal and depression.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that people with high vulnerability are at a high risk of developing depression. This study provides athletes and coaches with an accurate tool for measuring vulnerability and identifying mental health risks.
