Marching To A Healthier Tune: Anxiety And Depression Risk Across Collegiate Marching Band Artists

Anxiety (ANX) and depression (DEP) symptoms across collegiate students are typically exacerbated while managing new routines and academics. For marching band (MB) artists, additional stressors exist associated with rehearsal time, travel, and performances, placing them at risk for mental health challenges. PURPOSE: To examine ANX and DEP risk across gender in collegiate MB artists. METHODS: Data from a larger cross-sectional study. A convenience sample of 609 MB artists (age = 19.8 ± 1.5 years; women = 356: height = 165.9 ± 7.2 cm, weight = 70.0 ± 17.0 kg; men = 253, height = 179.1 ± 7.8 cm; weight = 80.3 ± 18.0 kg) completed an online survey including demographics, past medical history, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD). Descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests were used for demographic information and total scores for STAI and CESD. Cross-tabulation and Chi squares were used to determine differences between gender and normative ranges for ANX and at-risk for DEP. RESULTS: Women had significantly higher state ANX scores (F1, 607 = 1.778, p ≤ .01, women = 47.7 ± 12.0 vs. men = 42.9 ± 12.6) and trait ANX scores (F1, 607 = 3.396, p ≤ .01, woman = 51.9 ± 12.5 vs men = 45.8 ± 13.6). Overall, 40.7% (n = 248) of MB artists were above normative values for state ANX with no significant differences across gender (χ22, 609 = 2.52, p = .283; women = 42.4% [n = 151/356], men = 38.3% [n = 97/253]). For trait ANX, 67.8% of all MB artists were above normative values with significant differences across gender and normative values (χ22, 609 = 130.4, p ≤ .01; women = 54.5% [n = 194/356], men = 86.6% [n = 219/253]). Women also had higher total CESD scores (F1, 607 = 3.073, p ≤ .01, women = 23.5 ± 12.5 vs. men = 18.3 ± 11.7). Overall, 62.7% (n = 382) of all MB artists were at risk for DEP with significant differences across gender (χ21, 609 = 23.81, p ≤ .01, women = 70.8% [n = 252/356], men = 51.4% [n = 130/253]). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a high prevalence of ANX and DEP risk across all MB artists. This population faces similar stressors and demands as student-athletes with minimal healthcare oversight and resources. Special attention is needed to increase social and healthcare support systems for MB artists.