Mind, body, spirit, and sport: A systematic review examining the effectiveness of interventions targeting the biopsychosocial-spiritual health of NCAA student-athletes

ABSTRACT NCAA student-athletes are at risk for various physical (e.g. injury), psychosocial (e.g. depression), and spiritual (e.g. identity development) health concerns. Consequently, researchers and NCAA athletics’ personnel have prioritized conducting research and developing interventions designed to improve the overall health and well-being of student-athletes. This systematic review was guided by the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) framework to account for student-athletes’ overall health experience. We incorporated Cooper’s [2010. Research synthesis and meta-analysis: A step-by-step approach (4th ed.). Sage] seven-step protocol for research synthesis to examine the effectiveness of interventions targeting BPSS health outcomes among NCAA student-athletes. Of the 420 studies retrieved from five electronic databases, a total of 20 studies published between 1989 and 2017 were included for review. Results indicated that mindfulness- and cognitive-behavioral-based interventions may be effective at improving BPSS health outcomes among student-athletes. However, the majority of studies had poor methodological quality and demonstrated high risk of bias, raising concern for the generalizability and validity of findings. Implications are discussed.