Socium

This study explores the association among exercise overvaluation, athlete psychological strain, athletic justice and athletic burnout among para-athletes in Pakistan. While para-athletes in Pakistan participate in Paralympic activities under the National Olympic Committee, research on their mental health is still limited. Data on para-athletes at the international level is also sparse. Currently, there is only one representative organisation for para-athletes in Pakistan, highlighting the need for industrial sponsorships in parasports. Given the uncertainty surrounding international participation and the importance of personal growth, it is crucial to investigate para-athletes' mental well-being. This study also examines the mediating role of perceived athletic justice in influencing these mental health outcomes. By analysing these relationships, the study sheds light on the psychological challenges faced by para-athletes in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with 120 para-athletes through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis, mediation analysis and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to examine the relationships among the study variables and the effects of demographic factors. Results: Correlation analysis revealed that athletic justice was significantly and negatively associated with exercise overvaluation, psychological strain and athlete burnout, whereas exercise overvaluation and psychological strain were positively associated with burnout. Regression analysis indicated that exercise overvaluation was the strongest predictor of athlete burnout, followed by performance strain and self-regulation, explaining 71% of the variance. Mediation analysis demonstrated that athletic justice partially mediated the relationship between exercise overvaluation and psychological strain. Additionally, MANOVA results showed significant effects of income and age on perceptions of athletic justice, psychological strain, exercise overvaluation and burnout-related dimensions. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of fair sporting environments in reducing psychological strain and burnout among para-athletes. Strengthening organizational justice and providing targeted