The dual pandemic: COVID-19, systemic racism, and college student-athletic mental health

ABSTRACT

The dual pandemic of 2020–COVID-19 and systemic racism–continues to reshape society. The current study examines how this dual pandemic contributes to the psychological distress of college student-athletes, with attention to college student-athletes who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of colour (BIPOC). A total of 222 student-athletes from nine universities completed the online survey. Student-athletes reported COVID-19 had a moderate impact on daily life. The direct effect of COVID-19 on psychological distress was found to be positive and significant but did not differ for BIPOC and White participants. Additionally, nearly all BIPOC student-athletes reported experiencing systemic racism;yet the level of systemic racism did not predict psychological distress. Findings provide insight related to the importance of mental health among college student-athletes. © 2022 International Society of Sport Psychology.