Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

The Strategic Role of the Athlete Entourage in Adolescent Mental Health and Performance: A Narrative Review Based on International Olympic Committee Guidelines

Document Type : Review study

Authors
1 Department of Physical Education and Sports Psychology Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran.
Abstract
Adolescence, as one of the most sensitive stages of biopsychological development, is accompanied by numerous challenges that are further intensified in the context of elite sports. Research evidence suggests that mental health during this period, just as much as physical fitness, determines sustained athletic performance and the athlete's long-term psychological well-being. However, many elite adolescent athletes experience mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, and only about one-third have access to psychological counseling services. In this context, the athletes' entourage (including coaches, supervisors, medical staff, parents, and other supporters) plays a crucial role in fostering psychological safety and preventing mental health problems. Accordingly, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has developed a set of evidence-based guidelines for the athletes' entourage in recent years. Using an applied narrative review approach and drawing on IOC documents and other authoritative sources, this article presents a multi-level model of psychological support for adolescent athletes. It examines the role of the athletes' entourage across four key areas: a) diagnostic screening for identifying warning signs of mental disorders, b) creating a psychologically safe environment, c) self-help strategies and timely interventions, and d) the mental health needs of the athletes' entourage itself. The findings indicate that enhancing the mental health literacy and psychological skills of the athletes' entourage can significantly reduce the incidence of mental health crises and improve both the psychosocial development and athletic performance of adolescent athletes.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 August 2026

  • Receive Date 06 June 2026
  • Revise Date 02 August 2026
  • Accept Date 03 August 2026