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 Co-Chair
Josh Woods
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. 11522.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11522
Included in
Social Statistics Commons, Sociology Commons, Sports Studies Commons