Burnout and psychological wellbeing among university athlete-students: the mediating roles of perceived social support and mindfulness

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the association between athlete burnout and the psychological wellbeing among athlete-students, particularly focusing on the parallel associations involving perceived social support and mindfulness as potential pathways. Methods A sample of 215 physical education and sports faculty undergraduate athlete-students (130 male and 85 female) participated in the study. A parallel mediation analysis was performed in order to examine the pathways from athlete burnout to psychological wellbeing involving perceived social support and mindfulness. Results Athlete burnout was negatively related to psychological wellbeing among athlete-students. Moreover, the results of the mediation analysis revealed significant indirect links between athlete burnout and psychological wellbeing through perceived social support and mindfulness. Conclusion The findings of the study provided empirical evidence on how perceived social support and mindfulness mediate the relationship between athlete burnout and psychological wellbeing among university athlete-students. Although the findings offer cross-sectional empirical evidence, further longitudinal research is required to draw conclusions for causal relationships.