The purpose of the current study was to understand the lived experiences and perspectives of high-functioning survivors of moderate or severe childhood maltreatment (CM) as related to the role of athletic participation in the development of their resilience. We emailed and screened Division I student-athletes from universities across the U. S. who did not meet criteria for a traumatic stress disorder. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach and constant comparison methodology, we obtained and analyzed interview data from 13 participants. The pathways through which participation in childhood athletics supported their coping include receiving social support from coaches and teammates, being present and engaged in their athletic participation, feeling relatively safe in their athletic environment, and spending time away from the main perpetrators of the CM. After applying concepts from existing literature to our data, we developed hypotheses to explain the processes by which participation in youth sport fosters resilience. For example, sport participation may provide opportunities for corrective emotional experiences that help young athletes heal. In addition, based on self-determination theory, maltreated elite athletes may benefit from sport participation because it meets their three basic needs (i.e., autonomy, mastery, and relatedness). We conclude this study with suggested implications for researchers and clinicians, as well as recommendations related to the training and education of coaches in terms of CM.

The marriages of professional athletes have been examined for years, but the positive factors in those marriages have rarely been examined. This study focuses on the factors that contribute to the strength and happiness in the marriages of professional athletes. Five professional athletes and their wives were interviewed in effort to determine the factors that contributed to the strength of their marriages. Open communication, shared values, religion/faith, and trust were consistently found to be important components contributing to the strength of these marriages. This study adds to the limited literature available discussing the positive aspects of professional athlete marriagess / Master of Science

Tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) represent a serious sport injury that can be physically and psychologically debilitating for athletes. Recovery from ACL surgery is a six to nine month process, though the first four months of rehabilitation represents the key time of recovery. Thus, psychological interventions should occur during these first four months, but then examine athletes' psychological and physical functioning over the longer term. Past research has supported the efficacy of goal setting and imagery in helping athletes during their ACL recovery, and MSC has been shown to help athletes regulate emotions and improve their sport performance. MSC-based interventions, however, have not been examined in relation to injured athletes' psychological functioning and physical recovery. Thus, I examined the relative effects of three psychological interventions (i.e., GS, IM, and MSC) on athletes' post-ACL responses. Overall, I found no significant differences in the effects of GS, IM, or MSC on athletes' athletic identity, confidence in returning to sport, reinjury anxiety, stress related to sport injury, perceptions of ability to cope with injury, and subjective knee functioning. Although non-significant, athletes in the GS group showed slightly larger rates of change in their reinjury anxiety and cognitive appraisal compared to athletes in the IM and MSC groups, while athletes in the IM group showed slightly greater rates of change in subjective knee functioning compared to athletes in the GS and MSC groups. However, these results did not support the original hypotheses that athletes in the MSC group would demonstrate significantly greater outcomes compared to the GS and IM groups.

The purpose of this study was to investigate college student athletes' psychological health and well-being in the months immediately following graduation/retirement, which has been indicated as a critical time period. Participants consisted of collegiate athletes (N = 166; women = 138, men = 28; Mage = 21.84 years, SD = 0.86) who were surveyed at the end of their competitive seasons when they were graduating and retiring from their sports (Time 1) and 3 to 4 months later (Time 2). Athletes completed measures of readiness to graduate/retire, depression, body satisfaction, and satisfaction with life at Time 1; they completed the measures of psychological well-being at Time 2. Bivariate correlations revealed six dimensions of retirement readiness related to outcomes at Time 2: seeing self as more than an athlete, maintaining social support, neglecting other areas of life, achieving sport goals, utilizing sport career services and developing a new focus after retirement. Through a series of hierarchical regression analyses, one of reach psychological well-being outcome, I entered the Time 1 measure and gender in Step 1 and then the correlated dimensions for that outcome at Step 2. For body satisfaction, F(5, 160) = 27.281, p < .000, adj. R2 = .443, only Time 1 Body Satisfaction was a significant predictor (β = .639). For depressive symptoms, F(5, 160) = 17.110, p < .000, adj. R2 = .328, Time 1 depression (β = .462) predicted higher levels whereas developing a new focus upon ending career their sport career predicted less depression at Time 2 (β = -.161). Finally, for satisfaction with life, F(7, 158) = 18.336, p < .000, adj. R2 = .424, being male (β = -.165), being more satisfied with one's life at Time 1 (β = .436), maintaining social support networks (β = .199), and having a new focus upon ending sport careers (β = .140) predicted more life satisfaction at Time 2. Although no dimensions were significantly related to higher body satisfaction, a new focus after retirement and social support were essential in understanding the athletes' satisfaction with life and depressive symptoms three to four months post retirement. Future research may continue to apply longitudinal methods to follow the retirement process up to six months to a year, explore gender, race, and NCAA Division differences, identify what is incorporated in an athlete's new focus or examine other dimensions of body image that may better represent it during retirement. Universities may look to implement career assistance programs focusing on these psychosocial factors to prepare athletes for their retirement experiences.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This study examines fleet retention rates of USNA graduates who participated in varsity athlete programs from 1988 to 1990 and retained beyond their initial service obligation (N = 2,735). It is based on a theoretical model which investigates two forces of influence on retention: varsity athlete status as a positive influence and recruit status as a negative influence. Results of the hierarchical logistic regression analyses validate the theoretical model and suggest that varsity athletic participation and recruit status do have an impact on fleet retention rates. The negative retention influence of recruit status and the positive retention influence of varsity athletic participation are observed through the interaction of these two forces. Results indicate that recruit status is significantly related to lower retention rates, however, this negative force is counterbalanced by the positive influence of sustained varsity athletic participation, should the athlete have the perseverance to letter in his or her sport. This study also identifies the walk-on varsity athlete as the true beneficiary of the human capital benefits associated with varsity athletic participation. The walk-on varsity athlete acquires leadership and teamwork skills attributed to participation in varsity athletics without the negative recruit influence. / Lieutenant, United States Naval Reserve

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 482-495). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on February 17, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 482-495). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, June, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-55).