Gender-based violence and mental health in university physical education and sports populations a systematic literature review

José Alexander Velásquez Ochoa; Marianella Alicia Suárez Pizzarello; Luís Fernando Garcés Giraldo; José Albán Londoño Arias; Rosana Alejandra Meleán Romero; David Alberto García Arango; Marcela María Villa Patiño · Retos (2026) · DOI: 10.47197/retos.v81.119034

Resumen

Introduction. The problem of gender-based violence is a widespread one affecting students at universities; there are consequences relating to mental health, educational achievement, and participation in sport and physical education. The population in question requires evidence to inform their preventative approaches and interventions. Objective. To review associations between gender-based violence victimization and mental health outcomes among university students, including sports and physical education populations. Methodology. A total of 1,037 studies were identified using systematic searches from Scopus and Web of Science databases. Following the guidelines of the PRISMA, 140 articles were analyzed between 2021 and 2026. The main focus was placed on the prevalence of violence, experience thereof, and mental health outcomes. Results. Prevalence rates were high: intimate partner violence (14.3–33.8%), sexual assault (10.9–30.8%), dating violence (11.6–34.2%), harassment (13.5–33.7%), stalking (10.5–34.1%), coercive control (11.2–34.2%). Mental health effects showed moderate–large sizes: depression (0.30–0.79), anxiety (0.31–0.80), PTSD (0.34–0.75), suicidal ideation (0.34–0.72), substance use (0.37–0.80), self-harm (AOR 3.28). Athletic contexts revealed decreased motor performance, reduced motivation, and higher burnout. Conclusion. Gendered violence poses significant challenges to both the psychological well-being of students as well as their performances in athletics. Certain genders, such as women, sexual minorities, and those that are marginalized, have a higher risk of experiencing such forms of violence.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental; Universidad Autónoma del Perú