This study evaluated the internal consistency and factorial validity of a sport-adjusted 15-item version of the Toxic Leadership Scale (TLS-S). The sample consisted of 189 Swedish elite team sport athletes (56 females, 132 males, 1 preferred not to disclose;mean age=17.9 years, SD=3.3) from 21 different teams (ice hockey n=68; soccern=60; American football n=26; basketball n=15; handball n=14; volleyball n=3; other team sports not specified or multiple sports n=3). Participants competed at different performance levels: sub-elite (n=15), national junior elite (n=105), international junior elite (n=26), national senior elite (n=30), international senior elite (n=12), and other not specified (n=1). Results showed adequate internal consistency (ωt>.70) for the total TLS-S score and all subscales except the authoritarian leadership subscale (ωt=.61). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable model fit for both a five-factor and a one-factor model. While the five-factor model (χ²(80)=135.87, p<.001; CFI=.98; RMSEA=.062 [90% CI: .044–.080]; SRMR=.044) was superior to the one-factor solution (difference test: χ²(10)=53.60, p<.001), intercorrelations across subscales were high (range: .73−.92). A bifactor model supported a unidimensional structure (explained common variance=.79; percentage of uncontaminated correlations=.86). The findings provide psychometric evidence for the TLS-S and support a unidimensional structure. This study constitutes an important initial step toward facilitating the quantitative assessment of toxic leadership within sport environments, with the TLS-S emerging as a promising instrument for this purpose.

Studies investigating psychological safety in sports and non-sports contexts have mostly utilized the universal Team Psychological Safety Scale (TPSS) aimed for performance development in professional teams. The Sport Psychological Safety Inventory (SPSI) has recently been introduced for psychological safety measurement specifically in sports. The aim of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of the TPSS and the SPSI within an elite sport context. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data for assessment of the internal consistency, factorial validity, construct validity and measurement invariance of the TPSS and the SPSI. Complete data sets were provided by 371 elite Athletics athletes (track and field) and orienteers. Both the TPSS (ω = 0.72) and the SPSI subscales (range: ω = 0.81-0.88) showed acceptable internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a mediocre to good model fit for the TPSS and the SPSI three-factor correlated structure. The TPSS and the SPSI subscale ‘mentally healthy environment’ showed a moderate correlation. Measurement invariance tests suggested the TPSS to be fully invariant across genders, while the SPSI was found non-invariant. The study shows that the TPSS appears sound for assessing psychological safety in elite sports, while caution is needed when using the SPSI.

I sin debattartikel i Läkartidningen (7 jan 2025) argumenterar Anna Melin och Lykke Tamm för att relativ energibrist inom idrott (REDs) är ett allvarligt och vanligt problem som bör tas på allvar.

Vi instämmer i att nutrition är en av flera grundläggande förutsättningar för idrottslig utveckling, prestation samt fysisk och psykisk hälsa. Det är självklart att träningsbelastning och energiintag måste anpassas och balanseras på alla nivåer av idrottsutövande. Däremot ifrågasätter vi författarnas framställande av REDs som ett väletablerat »syndrom«, särskilt i Läkartidningen, som riktar sig till den svenska hälso- och sjukvården.

Mental health has garnered significant attention in sports medicine and sport science, reflecting a broader societal movement that recognizes the substantial disability caused by mental disorders and calls for greater prioritization of mental health in society at large. [1,2] While psychological and sociological aspects of sport have been studied for decades, [3,4] the clinical and psychiatric dimensions of athletes' mental health have only come to the forefront more recently. [5–7] This trend is also evident in manuscripts submitted to JSAMS. Athletes, coaches, and others involved in sport are not immune to mental disorders and can face life and sport challenges that negatively impact their mental health or may represent triggers for these disorders becoming manifest. Many psychiatric conditions reported among athletes, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and eating disorders, [8–12] are severe conditions linked to increased mortality.[13,14] They require serious attention and should prompt rigorous research in sports medicine. However, there are also challenges and potential risks when a research field rapidly transitions from being understudied to a hot topic with an almost explosive increase in publications over a relatively short period of time. Recurring methodological shortcomings like information bias from improper data collection methods, classification bias from inadequate diagnostic criteria and selection bias from inappropriate methods of selecting study subjects highlight the need for high-quality studies on these topics.

Svenska förtroendevalda spelar en viktig roll i att forma idrottens globala utveckling vid internationella beslutsbord. Men att engagera sig internationellt kan vara utmanande. Många internationella idrottsorganisationer har strukturer, arbetssätt och värderingar som skiljer sig från de svenska, vilket kräver att förtroendevalda kan navigera i komplexa och mångkulturella sammanhang. Utmaningarna kan handla om värdekonflikter vid representation, förtroende och legitimitet, samt vems intressen som företräds. Denna forskningsrapport syftar till att ge en djupare förståelse för svenska förtroendevaldas förutsättningar och villkor samt de utmaningar och möjligheter de möter på den europeiska och internationella idrottsarenan. Rapporten bygger på tre olika datamaterial och omfattar:

• 34 specialidrottsförbunds strategidokument för internationellt arbete.
• En kvantitativ enkät med 129 svenska förtroendevalda med europeiska och/eller internationella uppdrag (38 % kvinnor, 59 % män, 3 % utan angiven könstillhörighet).
• 16 kvalitativa intervjuer med förtroendevalda på exekutiva positioner i europeiska och/eller internationella idrottsorgans högsta beslutande organ.

I strategidokumenten är det inte alltid tydligt hur dokumenten vägleder handling och beslutsprocesser, vilket kan skapa osäkerhet kring dokumentens legitimitet. Resonemang om förtroendevaldas roller, legitimitet och mandat är sparsamma. Främst ligger fokus på svensk idrotts bidrag internationellt och mindre på hur den nationella idrottsrörelsen drar nytta av de förtroendevaldas internationella erfarenheter.

Utifrån enkätensvaren anser majoriteten (57 %) av de förtroendevalda att de främst representerar det europeiska/internationella förbundet, medan 30 procent anser att de representerar det nationella idrottsförbundet. Det vanligaste är att de förtroendevalda nomineras av det nationella specialidrottsförbundet och dess styrelse. Kompetens, lojalitet, nuvarande position, tidigare erfarenhet och personliga kontakter bedöms ha störst påverkan på vem som väljs till internationella uppdrag. De viktigaste skälen till förtroendevaldas vilja till engagemang uppges vara att bidra till utvecklingen av den egna idrotten eller den europeiska/internationella idrotten samt att utveckla den svenska idrottsrörelsen. De europeiska och internationella organisationerna uppfattas ha en måttlig efterlevnad av principer för good governance. Oegentligheter som mutor anses relativt ovanliga, medan vänskapskorruption och svågerpolitik upplevs vanligare förekommande. De förtroendevalda anser att de kan få relativt stort inflytande i sina uppdrag europeiskt/internationellt.

I intervjuerna identifierar vi komplexa utmaningar kopplat till mandat och representation. Vi kontrasterar ideal om good governance, som i intervjuerna associeras till svenska värden och arbetssätt, mot de auktoritära organisationsstrukturer och ledarskap som svenska företrädare beskriver som vanligt förekommande och utmanande på den internationella idrottsarenan. Resultaten visar också att idrottens självständighet kan påverkas av politiska beslut och maktstrukturer. 

Sammantaget pekar våra resultat på behoven av att förtroendevalda på den internationella arenan har förståelse för kulturella och politiska kontexter samt förmåga att hantera de komplexa utmaningar som uppdragen innebär. Resultaten bidrar med fördjupad kunskap om den svenska idrottsrörelsen på den internationella arenan och lyfter fram en mångfald med spänningar som förtroendevalda behöver balansera. Rapporten aktualiserar centrala och principiella utmaningar med idrottens styrning och legitimitet samt med den svenska representationen i internationella idrottsorgan.

Swedish elected representatives in European and international sports organizations play a crucial role in shaping international decision-making. However, engagement in this sphere can be challenging. Many international sports organizations differ significantly from Swedish sports in terms of organizational structures, values, and practices. These differences place demands on Swedish elected representatives, who must be equipped to navigate and work effectively within these complex and multicultural sporting environments. Challenges arise from value conflicts with regards to representation, trust and legitimacy, and questions may be asked about whose interests are being represented. This report presents research which provides a deeper understanding of the conditions and circumstances of Swedish elected representatives in the European and international sports community, as well as the challenges and opportunities they encounter in their work. The report is based on the analysis of three sources of data:

• 34 international policy documents from Swedish sports federations;
• A quantitative survey with 129 Swedish representatives with European and/or international positions (38 % women, 59 % men and 3 % without specified gender); and 
• 16 qualitative interviews with representatives in executive positions in the highest decision-making bodies of European and international sports organizations.

The policy documents often fail to provide clarity with regard to decision-making procedures and expectations on representatives’ roles and behaviour, which can serve to undermine the legitimacy of the documents. Information about the representatives’ expected roles, legitimacy and mandates is sparsely presented in the documents. The focus of the documents is mainly on what Swedish sports can contribute with internationally, rather than on how the national sports movement can benefit from the representatives’ international experiences.

The analysis of the survey responses shows that the majority (57 %) of the elected representatives believe that they primarily represent their European/international federation, while 30 percent believe that they represent their Swedish sports federation. Most commonly, the representatives are nominated by the Swedish sports federation and its board. Competence, loyalty, current position, previous experience and personal contacts are considered to be the most significant factors behind who is chosen for international positions. The main reasons for the representatives’ willingness to engage are stated to be able to contribute to the development of their own sport or the European/international sport, as well as to support the Swedish sports movement. European and international organizations are perceived to demonstrate moderate adherence to principles of good governance. Irregularities such as bribery are considered relatively uncommon, while nepotism and cronyism are seen as more common. The representatives believe that they can exercise a rather significant influence on the European/international sports community in their roles. In the interviews, we identify complex challenges related to the elected representatives’ engagement in European and international sports organizations. We contrast ideals of good governance, associated, in the interviews, with Swedish values and working methods, and with the authoritarian organizational structures and leadership that Swedish representatives describe as common and challenging in international sports organizations. The results also show that the integrity of the sports community can be undermined by political decisions and power structures.

Overall, our findings highlight the need for elected representatives in international organizations to have an extensive understanding of cultural and political contexts and an ability to manage the complex challenges their roles present. The findings contribute to a better grasp of the experience of elected representatives of the Swedish sports movement in the international community, especially by highlighting the range of normative tensions that representatives need to negotiate and manage. The report brings to light important questions regarding legitimacy deriving from the international governance of sports, as well as the Swedish representation in international sports organizations.

Introduction: There has been a growing interest in mindfulness research during the past three decades. However, studies investigating the mediating mechanisms of mindfulness on student-athletes and their quality of life (QoL) are sparse. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine if the effects of a brief body scan intervention on QoL among student-athletes would mediate a change in five facets of mindfulness (acting with awareness, describing, non-judgment, non-reactivity, and observing).Methods: Swedish student-athletes (n = 99; 40% female participants) were recruited from six provincial high schools specialized in sports (basketball, k = 5; cross-country skiing, k = 1). The student-athletes were randomized into two arms: a 4-week body scan (intervention group) and a 4-week relaxation (active control group). Participants completed self-reported measures of QoL and mindfulness three times: at baseline; at follow-up, 4 weeks after baseline; and 8 weeks after baseline. A simple mediation analysis was conducted.Results: Results showed no significant differences between the body scan and relaxation on QoL change (c-path). There were no significant associations between the independent variable (body scan and relaxation) and the mediator Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) (a-path). Results did not demonstrate any significant indirect associations between FFMQ and QoL (b-path) for the five facets of FFMQ. In conclusion, body scans did not have any effect on student-athletes’ QoL.Discussion: This study provides a first step toward investigating facets of mindfulness and QoL among student-athletes. No direct associations were revealed in this pilot study. Future research should refine mindfulness interventions and explore diverse mindfulness practices to better understand which facets of mindfulness may be helpful for student-athletes’ QoL.

This scoping review aimed to identify the current state of knowledge on toxic leadership in high-performance sports and its consequences for mental health and performance at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Abstract screening (n =768) and full-text review (n = 83) resulted in the inclusion of 26 studies, predominantly conducted in North America and Europe. Studies used inconsistent definitions, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches to study darker or toxic leadership. Several antecedents and maintaining factors to toxic leadershipwere identified, such as individual leader characteristics, a performance-oriented culture, status/power structures, and a lackof reporting processes or consequences within organizations. The empirical literature provided initial support for the negative consequences of toxic leadership on athletes’ mental health, injuries, and motivation to remain in high-performance sports. Few studies have investigated the consequences of toxic leadership on sports organizations, staff or coaches. We conclude that research on toxic leadership in high-performance sports is in its early stages, with an underdeveloped understanding of how problematic leadership can be detected, prevented, and addressed to minimize its impact in sports. Researchers, governing bodies, and sports organizations must intensify their efforts to comprehend the emergence and persistence of toxic leadership within high-performance sports environments.

Boken utforskar begreppet trygg idrott. Författarna lyfter fram idrottens möjligheter och visar samtidigt på de utmaningar som finns. Trygg idrott kopplas samman med tankar om bland annat folkrörelsetradition, elitsatsning, tystnadskultur, ledarstilar, trygga utvecklings- och prestationsmiljöer samt psykisk hälsa. Psykologisk trygghet får extra fokus, ett centralt begrepp både för välbefinnande och för möjligheter till utveckling och prestation. 

Trygg idrott är ett brett begrepp och omfattar exempelvis fysisk, psykisk och miljömässig säkerhet samt sunda och etiska träningsmetoder. En trygg idrott är fri från diskriminering, övergrepp, mobbning och annan fysiskt eller psykiskt skadlig behandling.

Handboken är förankrad i aktuell forskning och är samtidigt lätt att tillämpa i praktiken. Teoretisk kunskap kombineras med verklighetsnära exempel, arbetsmaterial och praktiska uppgifter. Boken erbjuder konkreta råd och strategier för att underlätta arbetet med att skapa en trygg och utvecklande idrottsmiljö. En idrott där alla kan känna sig välkomna och trygga och få goda förutsättningar för prestation utifrån mål och drömmar. 

Background Body dissatisfaction is known as a robust predictor for eating pathology. Empirical knowledge about specific psychological mechanisms, beyond sports type, that can maintain or diminish female and male athletes’ body satisfaction is still sparse and research lack consistency. Prevention can decrease risk factors for eating pathology and protect athletes’ appreciation for the body and its functionality for continued and healthy sports participation.

Objective To explore the relationships between age, gender, type of sport, perfectionistic self-presentation, and motivation on body satisfaction among young athletes in one lean sport (gymnastics) and one non-lean sport (basketball). Hypotheses: Age, gender, and sport type are related to body satisfaction. A high autonomous motivation is positively related to body satisfaction while perfectionistic self-presentation displays a negative relationship.

Design Cross-sectional.

Setting Recreational to national elite level.

Participants A total of 209 athletes (basketball players n=77; gymnasts n=132; age range: 10–22) were recruited and 200 (females: n=157; males: n=43) were included in the analyses after data screening.

Assessment of Risk Factors Questionnaires were completed electronically and assessed demographic information (e.g., age, self-assigned gender), motivation (Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire), perfectionistic self-presentation (Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale – Junior Form) and body satisfaction (Body Appreciation Scale-2).

Main Outcome Measurements Body satisfaction (dependent variable).

Results Stepwise multiple regressions with bootstrapping showed age, self-assigned gender, and perfectionistic self-presentation (non-display of imperfection) to significantly predict body satisfaction (p<.05). Path analysis showed a significant relationship between age and body satisfaction (standardized coefficient: -.23) which was partially mediated by non-display of imperfection (p<.05). A moderated mediation analysis showed that this relationship was not moderated by gender.

Conclusions Body satisfaction prevention should target perfectionistic self-presentation tendencies among female and male athletes. Further research is warranted to investigate if non-display of imperfection is a prominent perfectionistic self-presentation facet among athletes across gender, sports and competition levels.

Background Elite athletes are role models for young sportspersons regarding social media use. Self-objectification, including self-sexualizing, contributes to body dissatisfaction and body shame, especially in young females. For efficient prevention of self-objectification, knowledge is needed about elite athletes’ self-presentation on social media.

Objective To compare social media postings indicative of self-objectification among female elite athletes in an aesthetic and a non-aesthetic individual sport and by age.

Design Cross-sectional quantitative visual content analysis study.

Setting Instagram on October 1st, 2021.

Participants All Swedish elite female athletes aged 16 years or older with open Instagram accounts in figure skaters (n=26) and athletics (track and field) athletes (n=40).

Assessment of Risk Factors The 30 most recently posted images were identified from each athlete’s Instagram account (Figure). Following exclusion of non-topical images, a panel (4 women/4 men) individually scored factors indicative of self-objectification in the remaining images. The scores were analyzed quantitatively by sport (figure skating/athletics) and age group (age-cut at 21 years).

Main Outcome Measurements Proportion of sexually suggestive images in Instagram postings.

Results In total, 1,869 images were analyzed; 669 posted by figure skaters and 1200 by athletics athletes. Seventy-four images (4%) were classified as containing sexually suggestive content. Figure skaters posted more images with sexually suggestive content (p=0.032) than athletics athletes (especially images with sexual posing (p=0.005) and sexualized body parts in focus (chest (p=0.049); hip-region (p=0.001)). Younger athletes published more images interpreted to contain sexual suggestion than older athletes (p<0.001) (especially images focusing on the chest (p=0.008)). 

Conclusions Prevention of self-objectification in young female sportspersons should include moderation of self-presentation practices on social media among female elite athletes in aesthetic sports and young elite athletes in their upper teens. Further research on the role of social media in the etiology of mental unhealth in sportspersons is warranted.