Sleep and mental health in professional Turkish athletes: Validation of the athlete sleep screening questionnaire

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) and to examine the prevalence and mental health correlates of sleep problems among professional athletes. An online survey was distributed to 1,893 Turkish athletes, incorporating standardized scales to assess sleep problems and symptoms of commonly prevalent mental disorders. A subset of participants (n = 40) provided test–retest data at a 30-day interval. A total of 883 athletes participated, yielding a response rate of 48.3%. Confirmatory factor analysis validated the Turkish version of the ASSQ, and the test–retest data supported its temporal stability. While 15.1% of athletes reported at least moderate sleep problem severity, 77.2% reported sleeping <8 hours per night. Married athletes, those participating in individual sports, and athletes in weight category sports reported higher sleep difficulty scores than their counterparts (p = 0.03, p = 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). Athletes with sleep problems were more likely to experience athlete-specific stress (OR = 5.53), anxiety (OR = 4.67), and depression (OR = 12.92) compared to those without sleep problems. The findings demonstrate that the ASSQ can be effectively used among Turkish athletes, identifying those who are prone to experiencing sleep problems and revealing robust associations between sleep problems and mental-ill health. The results suggest that athletes with sleep problems may benefit from targeted strategies to improve their sleep, in addition to supportive coaching and mental health resources.