Die langen Schatten komplexer Sportschädigungen

The politically instrumentalized and ideologically framed competitive sports system of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) was not only characterized by a conspiratorial doping practice, especially among minors and young adults, but also comprised other potentially harmful features. The consequences for those affected have so far been insufficiently investigated. Thus, this study focused on experiences of abuse in the sports context, prevalence rates of mental disorders and current depression.

Former GDR competitive athletes (n = 101) who had been forcibly doped as minors were systematically assessed for sports-related abuse. Furthermore, the point, 12-month and lifetime prevalence rates for a variety of mental disorders were examined using the diagnostic expert system for mental disorders (DIA-X). Current depression was captured by the self-report patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9).

The majority of study participants (56%) reported emotional abuse in the sports context, followed by physical (48%) and sexual abuse (23%). At least one mental disorder was diagnosed in 98%, with an average of lifetime diagnoses of 4.2 ± 2.7. The most common diagnoses were anxiety, depressive and somatoform pain disorders, both cross-sectionally and across the life span. Current depression was significantly higher than in the general population.

In line with previous findings this study indicates that former minor GDR competitive athletes frequently experienced sports-related abuse. Compared to the general population, the morbidity of mental disorders is markedly higher. In psychotherapeutic practice, it is important to be sensitive to this issue to appropriately respond to those affected.