General Psychological Profile in Malaysia University Students Who Practise Archery

Aims: To determine the psychological profile of archers among undergraduate students from public universities.

Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional multi-centre study.

Setting: Archers in four Malaysian public Universities.

Participants: A total of 150 archers active in this sport were recruited (male, n=72; female, n=78).

Main Outcome Measures: The validated Depression, Anxiety and Stress 21 questionnaire (DASS 21) and sociodemographic characteristics were administered.

Results: Of the total 150 patients surveyed, depression, anxiety and stress were found in 48 (32%), 90 (60%) and 6 (4%), respectively. ANOVA revealed that gender, caregiver, parents’ education level, parents’ occupation and type of dwelling were significantly associated with depression as well as number of siblings, caregiver, parents’ education level, parents’ occupation and type of dwelling were significantly associated with anxiety whilst number of siblings, caregiver, parents’ education level, parents’ occupation and type of dwelling were significantly associated with stress.

Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, stress and sociodemographic variables were essential correlates of anxiety and depression among archers. Incorporating psychological profile assessment among sporting activity like archery may improve health outcomes.