Table 1 Demographic and sports-related characteristics of the para-athletes compared to non-para-athletes

Gender (% female)

43.0 (46)

57.1 (359)

Individual sport**

Team-based sport

75.1 (82)

24.8 (27)

58.8 (371)

41.2 (260)

Mean age (SD)**

30.7 (10.6)

23.4 (4.7)

Recent competition

24.5 (27)

20.6 (131)

Relationship status**

Main activity related to sport in the past month

 Single/never married

49.5 (54)

55.0 (350)

Actively engaged in sport

49.1 (54)

57.6 (367)

 Partnered

29.4 (32)

36.8 (234)

Training (in-season)

18.2 (20)

19.0 (121)

 Married

18.3 (20)

7.5 (48)

Training (off-season)

20.0 (22)

12.6 (80)

 Separated/divorced

2.8 (–)

0.6 (–)

Recovering from injury

9.1 (10)

8.2 (52)

Other

3.6 (-)

2.7 (17)

Sexual orientation

 Heterosexual

 Bisexual

 Same sex attracted

 Other^

88.2 (97)

3.6 (–)

2.7 (–)

5.5 (6)

93.2 (593)

2.8 (18)

1.7 (11)

2.2 (14)

Currently injured

Currently in an adapted training programme due to injury

10.1 (11)

12.7 (14)

12.9 (82)

15.9 (101)

Currently studying

68.2 (75)

77.7 (261)

Ever treated for a concussion

13.6 (15)

15.9 (101)

Highest level of education*

 Completed < year 12

 Completed year 12

 University degree

 Vocational qualification

14.7 (16)

37.6 (41)

29.4 (32)

18.3 (20)

14.8 (94)

54.2 (345)

21.4 (136)

9.6 (61)

Length of time as an NSO categorised athlete**

Less than 12 months

1–3 years

4–7 years

8 or more years

Do not know

10.1 (11)

32.1 (35)

26.6 (29)

22.2 (24)

9.2 (10)

16.0 (102)

37.3 (237)

19.5 (124)

11.2 (71)

13.7 (102)

Paid work in the past month*

 None

 Paid—casual

 Paid—part time

 Paid—full time

 Voluntary (unpaid)

25.5 (28)

25.5 (28)

16.4 (18)

17.3 (19)

15.5 (17)

35.1 (223)

30.2 (192)

15.4 (98)

13.1 (83)

6.3 (40)

Travel away due to sport **

Less than 1 month1–2 months

3–4 months

5–6 months

6 months or more

3.9 (29)

43.6 (48)

16.4 (18)

7.3 (8)

6.4 (7)

13.8 (103)

30.8 (196)

28.7 (183)

7.8 (50)

16.5 (105)

Living arrangements**

 At family home (of origin)

 Renting

 Own/mortgaged home

 Other#

47.7 (51)

23.4 (25)

28.0 (30)

0.9 (-)

49.8 (317)

31.4 (200)

11.6 (74

7.1 (45)

Missed significant life events due to role/travel

60.0 (66)

67.2 (429)

Ever treated for a mental health or psychological problem*

33.6 (37)

20.4 (130)

Personal concern for safety while travelling

7.3 (8)

9.6 (61)

Sought treatment for a mental health or psychological problem in the past 12 months

20.9 (37)

19.9 (127)