High Rates of Psychological Abuse in Swedish Cheerleading

A new study from Linköping University exposes concerning levels of psychological abuse and mental health issues among Swedish cheerleaders.

Summary: Nearly one-third of current and former Swedish cheerleaders report experiencing psychological abuse in their sport, with many leaving due to poor leadership and injuries.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Cheerleading, a rapidly growing sport in Sweden with approximately 18,000 participants, faces a troubling reality. A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences reveals that 29% of current and former Swedish cheerleaders have experienced psychological abuse within their sport.

The research, conducted by Linköping University and funded by the Swedish Cheerleading Federation, surveyed 284 competitive athletes aged 15 and older. It marks the first known study of its kind in cheerleading worldwide, shedding light on the prevalence of harassment, abuse, and mental health issues in this popular sport.

The Dark Side of Cheerleading

The study’s findings paint a concerning picture of the cheerleading environment in Sweden. Psychological abuse emerged as the most common form of mistreatment, with 21.6% of current athletes and a staggering 53.5% of retired athletes reporting such experiences.

Carolina Lundqvist, docent in psychology and sports science and licensed psychotherapist at Linköping University, explains, “It’s similar to what we see in other sports: that it’s primarily psychological abuse that stands out.”

This abuse can take various forms, including:

Social exclusion
Belittlement or devaluation
Manipulation
Threats

While the study did not measure the severity of the reported abuse, its prevalence is alarming, especially among former athletes.

The Impact on Athlete Retention

The Swedish Cheerleading Federation initiated this research to address a growing problem: athletes quitting the sport during their upper secondary school years. Katarina Eriksson, general secretary of the federation, states, “We have a problem of athletes quitting in the upper secondary school age group. We wanted to investigate why and bring about a change.”

The study identified several key factors contributing to athletes leaving the sport:

35% cited coaches’ leadership as a reason for quitting
34% left due to injuries
27% reported high expectations as the cause
22% mentioned poor team cohesion and atmosphere

Perhaps most concerning is that 5% of current athletes and 27% of former athletes reported a lack of support when someone in a position of responsibility knew about harassment or abuse but took no action.

Mental Health Concerns

The research also revealed significant mental health issues among cheerleaders:

33.1% of participants showed scores indicating anxiety
8.9% displayed signs of depression
63.8% reported a high level of well-being

These findings highlight the complex relationship between sports participation and mental health, with some athletes thriving while others struggle.

Breaking the Silence

One of the study’s key insights is that many athletes only speak about their experiences of abuse after retiring from the sport. Carolina Lundqvist offers two potential explanations for this phenomenon:

Normalization of abusive behaviors within sports environments
Fear of increased vulnerability if athletes speak out while still active

This “culture of silence” can perpetuate harmful practices and make it difficult for athletes to seek help or report abuse.

Moving Towards a Safer Sport

In response to these findings, the Swedish Cheerleading Federation has taken immediate action:

Developing new training courses for coaches
Creating a new code of conduct for leaders
Focusing on injury prevention in training methods

Lundqvist believes that outdated attitudes are a significant barrier to progress: “I think old norms and an attitude that puts performance before health are what’s getting in the way.”

The study’s results emphasize the importance of educating leaders at all levels and actively working to ensure that sports environments are safe, healthy, and nurturing for all participants.

Looking Ahead

While this research provides valuable insights into the challenges facing Swedish cheerleading, it also raises questions about the sport’s culture globally. As cheerleading continues to grow in popularity worldwide, similar studies in other countries could help identify whether these issues are widespread or specific to certain regions.

For parents, coaches, and athletes involved in cheerleading, this study serves as a wake-up call. It highlights the need for increased vigilance, open communication, and robust support systems to protect the physical and mental well-being of participants at all levels of the sport.

As the cheerleading community grapples with these findings, the hope is that this research will spark meaningful change, leading to a safer and more positive experience for all those involved in this dynamic and challenging sport.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

What percentage of Swedish cheerleaders reported experiencing psychological abuse? a) 15% b) 29% c) 35% d) 53.5%
Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a reason for athletes quitting cheerleading? a) Coaches’ leadership b) Injuries c) Financial constraints d) High expectations
What percentage of participants in the study showed scores indicating anxiety? a) 8.9% b) 22% c) 33.1% d) 63.8%

Answers:

b) 29%
c) Financial constraints
c) 33.1%

Glossary of Terms

Psychological abuse: Harmful behaviors that affect emotional health, such as belittlement, verbal assault, or neglect.
Docent: An academic title used in some countries, similar to an associate professor.
Normalization: The process by which abusive or harmful behaviors become accepted as normal within a specific environment.
Cohesion: The act or state of sticking together tightly, in this context referring to team unity.
Prevalence: The proportion of a population who have a specific characteristic in a given time period.
Non-accidental violence: Harm caused in sport, regardless of whether the perpetrator intends to cause harm or acts with performance enhancement intentions.

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