Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Sociology and Anthropology
Committee Chair
Lisa Dilks
Committee Member
Josh Woods
Committee Member
Amy Hirshman
Committee Member
Kristen Dieffenbach
Abstract
Student-athletes encounter experiences that can cause their identity process and self-concept to be disturbed. Even though athletic identities are strong among intercollegiate athletes, some encounter identity-threatening events that interrupt their identity process, negatively affecting their athletic identity. The present study adds to current research on the athletic identity of student-athletes by examining the athletic identity and self-esteem of student-athletes to determine if a redshirt season is a positive (identity-enhancing) or negative (identity-threatening) event. The intersectionality of age, race, gender, and ethnicity are examined to understand if multiple identities influence the experience of a redshirt season. Results reveal that a redshirt season does not influence athletic identity and self-esteem. However, redshirt athlete’s psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression play a possible role in their college athletic career.
Recommended Citation
Oldham, Leah C., "Exploration of Intercollegiate Student-Athletes’ Athletic Identity" (2022). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 11522.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11522
Included in
Social Statistics Commons, Sociology Commons, Sports Studies Commons