Exploring Perceptions of Resilience, Cohesion, and Stress Amongst Community College Student-athletes

Exploring Perceptions of Resilience, Cohesion, and Stress Amongst Community College Student-athletes
Author: Brandi Segovia
Publisher:
Total Pages: 37
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

Student-athletes face a variety of stressors and adversities that become hurdles in both their personal, athletic, and academic lives. This study explores the relationship between resilience, cohesion, and stress amongst community college student-athletes. Community college student-athletes (N=49) completed an online survey using the Group Environment Questionnaire, College Student-Athletes' Life Stress Scale, and Brief Resilience Scale. T-tests were used to compare differences among these variables by gender. Student-athletes reported higher levels of resilience and cohesion, which were related to lower levels of stress. This study illustrates how resilience, belonging, and coach/peer supports help decrease levels of perceived stress within the community college student-athlete population.

College Students' Perceptions of how Participation in High School Athletics Affects Their Resilience

College Students' Perceptions of how Participation in High School Athletics Affects Their Resilience
Author: Geoffrey Mills
Publisher:
Total Pages: 133
Release: 2014
Genre: College students
ISBN:

This study considered the perceptions of college students regarding the effect of their participation in high school athletics upon their resilience. This study explored the effect of athletic participation on students' academic achievement, capacity to overcome adversity, and ability to cope with stress. This study was conducted in a private, coeducational university in suburban, southeastern Pennsylvania. Seventy-five undergraduate college students who matriculated to this university and attended public, private, or parochial high schools participated. The results of this study suggested that participation in athletics supported most participants' academic achievement, developed their capacity to overcome challenges and adversity, and positively affected their ability to manage stress. The themes that emerged in this research study, when considered within the context of prior research related to protective factors and resilience, suggested that participation in athletic activities promoted resilience among these students.

NCAA Division I Student-athletes' Perceptions of how the Coach-athlete Relationship Influences Student-athlete Resilience

NCAA Division I Student-athletes' Perceptions of how the Coach-athlete Relationship Influences Student-athlete Resilience
Author: Sara Marie Erdner
Publisher:
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2018
Genre: Coach-athlete relationships
ISBN:

Resilience in sport has been defined as "the role of mental processes and behavior in promoting personal assets and protecting an individual from the potential negative effect of stressors" (Fletcher & Sarkar, 2012, p. 675). Fletcher and Sarkar's (2012) found that various psychological factors were indicative of athlete resilience such as achievement motivation, social support, focus, confidence, and positive personality. To date, sport psychology researchers have dominantly examined resilience as an individual construct (e.g., Galli & Vealey, 2008; Fletcher & Sarkar; Wagstaff, Sarkar, Davidson, & Fletcher, 2016). However, it is also important to consider how athlete resilience might develop and operate in relationships with important others (e.g., coach). Narrative inquiry (Smith & Sparkes, 2009) was used in this study to explore the stories of seven NCAA Division I student-athletes' lived experiences of how the coach-athlete relationship influenced their ability to be resilient through major stress. Semi-structured interviews were conducted that asked participants about their respective coach-athlete relationship, how power and sociocultural factors influenced this relationship, and in turn, influenced student-athlete resilience. Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis was used for data analysis, which revealed the following themes: (a) Student-athlete core resilience, (b) The W.O.A.T., (c) The G.O.A.T., (d) W.O.AT. coach behaviors, (e) G.O.A.T. coach behaviors, (f) The W.O.A.T., the G.O.A.T., and student-athlete resilience, (g) The effect of coach major stress on student-athlete resilience, and (h) The relational shift: From bad to better, good to great. It is hoped that the findings of this study will be used as a powerful method from which coaches can emotionally connect with the participants' stories in order to better understand how they might operate within the coach-athlete relationship to influence student-athlete resilience.

College Students’ Mental Health

College Students’ Mental Health
Author: Bailey Hart
Publisher:
Total Pages: 116
Release: 2019
Genre: Academic achievement
ISBN:

Negative mental health outcomes are becoming increasingly prevalent in college students. Depression, anxiety, and stress have been previously shown to negatively impact academic motivation and performance. Resilience and social support can serve as preventative factors to protect students from this adversity. Resilience is a dynamic process that changes based on environmental factors. An individual’s perceptions of social support can be influenced by friends, family, and significant others. Another possible influence in the perception of social support and resilience is race/ethnicity. Social support especially has been viewed differently based on culture. The purpose of this study was to examine the links between resilience, social support, academic success, mental health, and race/ethnicity. The results showed that resilience significantly predicted both stress and depression but failed to predict anxiety. Also, resilience was a mediator in the relationship between depression and academic performance. This study was limited in the scope of participants both in number and location. Future research should focus on further examination of resilience and its connection to academic success, as well as interventions to improve it.

Evaluating the Relationship Between Team Cohesion and Mental Health in NCAA Athletes

Evaluating the Relationship Between Team Cohesion and Mental Health in NCAA Athletes
Author: Janelle Rothacker
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

Objective: College student-athletes face unique stressors at a developmental stage marked by heightened prevalence of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Given the value ascribed to membership in small groups, perceptions of group cohesion may be a critical aspect of athletes social environment for promoting mental health in sports teams. The purpose of the current study was to determine the association between perceived group cohesion and self-reported perceptions of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Methods: Athletes (N =124) were recruited within their sport teams to complete an electronic survey. Participants completed measures of group cohesion (i.e., attraction to group-task, attraction to group-social, group integration-social, group integration-task), social support, anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. Results: Preliminary analyses generally revealed weak bivariate correlations between group cohesion and the three dependent variables, although depression had a moderate correlation with two cohesion subscales: attachment to group-task and group integration-social. Linear regressions examined the extent that four subscales of group cohesion predicted mental health issues. Whereas group cohesion was not a significant predictor of anxiety, depression and disordered eating behaviors were significantly predicted by group cohesion. Increases in cohesion were linked to lower perceptions of both depression and disordered eating with the strongest significant predictors being attachment to grouptask and group integrationtask. Conclusions: These findings highlight group cohesion as a predictor of mental health issues, and depression in particular. While these findings are preliminary, they point toward the potential role of group environments within mental health interventions.

Mental Toughness, Well-being, and Coach-created Motivational Climate Within Collegiate Athletics

Mental Toughness, Well-being, and Coach-created Motivational Climate Within Collegiate Athletics
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 65
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

This study examined the relationship between college student-athletes' well-being, self-ratings of mental toughness in sport, and perceptions of the coach-created motivational climate. One hundred and two NCAA Division I female student-athletes completed measures of well-being, mental toughness, and coach-created motivational climate over the course of a university academic year. The author hypothesized that mental toughness and perceptions of the coach-created motivational climate would predict well-being. Overall, the results of the study found a predictive relationship between well-being and mental toughness, and well-being, mental toughness, and an ego-involving coach-created motivational climate. These results provide initial evidence that cognitive, affective, personality, and environmental factors influence student-athlete well-being. The findings also demonstrate that Henriques et al.'s (2017) Nested Model of Well-being (NM) may be an effective model to understand the unique factors that influence student-athlete well-being. For example, the results of the study indicate that the construct of mental toughness may overlap with Henriques et al.'s (2014) conceptualization of adaptive potentials (one's skills and abilities to function effectively in the environment). Additionally, the influence of a student-athlete's perception of the coach-created motivational climate on well-being may be aligned with the NM's characterization of the environmental domain. These results indicate a need to study other factors that influence student-athlete well-being. This study demonstrates a need to develop measures that assess student-athlete well-being while also accounting for the unique cultural components of college athletics that may influence the well-being of student athletes.

Exploring Mental Health in Sport

Exploring Mental Health in Sport
Author: Jessica Murphy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2021
Genre:
ISBN:

Student-athletes are at high risk for poor mental health. Leaders within the varsity sport environment influence athlete mental health and help-seeking. This dissertation explored the behaviors, perspectives and needs of athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers as it pertains to mental health in sport. Three studies were conducted, the first utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to explore factors associated with coach-athlete conversations about mental health. A coach's Attitude towards having a conversation with an athlete significantly influenced their Intention to do so. Perceived Behavioral Control (PBC) significantly influenced the relationship between Social Norms and Intention. Both PBC and Social Norms had a significant relationship with the Behavior (having a conversation about mental health with an athlete). The second study applied a conceptual model from Horn's Working Model of Coach Effectiveness to explore how an athlete's perception of coach behavior impacts attitudes and help-seeking behaviors. Psychological distress levels influenced an athlete's Perception of their coach's behavior. Openness to help-seeking was significantly related to help-seeking Behaviors and influenced the relationship between personal characteristics and help-seeking. Perception of coach behaviors influenced the relationship between psychological distress and help-seeking from a coach. The last study sought to determine the acceptance of an online varsity sport-specific mental health resource. Preliminary results were promising; The PEER Network was frequently used over the study period and participants had positive and supportive feedback. Overall, results from the three studies suggest that perceived ability and social support may influence whether coach-athlete conversations about mental health occur. Due to the effects of these variables, coach mental health training should focus on improving the skills required for these conversations and normalizing mental health in sport. As an athlete's perception of coach behavior mediated the relationship between psychological distress and help-seeking, training should also focus on clear ways to show athletes that coaches are supportive of mental health. Athlete-specific training should try and improve attitudes towards help-seeking and highlight the value from seeking help. The PEER Network may be an easily accessible and context-specific way of achieving these educational goals for members of the varsity athletic community.

Exploring Mental Health Help-seeking Behaviors in Student-athletes

Exploring Mental Health Help-seeking Behaviors in Student-athletes
Author: Geana R. Shemak
Publisher:
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2021
Genre: Mental health
ISBN:

Introduction: Adolescents and young adults experience a high level of mental health conditions.These disorders appear to be increasing in number and severity. The prevalence rate for 18-25-years-olds is 8.7% in 12 months. Mental health conditions are treatable, yet many people do not seek professional help. Seeking help from a professional source is particularly important for preventing, early detection, treatment, and recovery from mental health conditions. Purpose: The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to demonstrate the prevalence of depression, explore student-athletes attitudes towards seeking mental health help, understand what factors may influence help-seeking behaviors, and explore the athlete's perceptions of the role that athletic trainers play in the assessment and referral process. Methods: An exploratory, concurrent mixed methods design was used. Survey data from the ATSPPH-SF and PHQ-9 were collected from collegiate student-athletes. A phenomenological approach will guide the qualitative research process. Semi-structured interviews will be audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using an interpretive thematic analytical approach. Study Participants: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) student-athletes participating at the Divsion III (DIII) level. Results: The prevalence of depression was almost 42% in the study population. There was no relationship between PHQ-9 scores and sex. Attitudes towards seeking help were generally positive. Females tend to have more favorable attitudes than males, but this finding was not statistically significant. There was no relationhship between PHQ-9 scores and ATSPPH-SF scores. Barriers to help-seeking included perceived seriousness, stigma, lack of time, accessibility, prefer to handle issues on own, and cost. Facilitators to help-seeking included perceived and nee-problems that were serious enough to warrant help and a supportive network. Clinical Importance: As we continue to address the mental health crisis, it is imperative to understand what prevents student-athletes from seeking professional psychological help and develop supportive programs to help them overcome these barriers. Certified athletic trainers, coaches, and other athletic personel need to understand the seriousness of untreated mental health conditions and be educated to recognize when an athlete may be struggling with issues beyond their control. Knowing when to refer a student-athlete to a professional is essential in preventing potential unnecessary and irreversible consequences.