Zarina A Giannone1, Colleen J Haney1, David Kealy2, John S Ogrodniczuk2. 1. 1 Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2. 2 Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite evidence identifying adjustment difficulties among retiring athletes, research investigating factors that contribute to post-retirement complications is limited. Athletic identity may be an important determinant of adverse adaptation to sport retirement. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to address the influence of athletic identity on post-retirement depression and anxiety symptoms among varsity athletes. METHOD: An anonymous, online survey regarding athletic identity and psychiatric symptoms was completed by 72 self-identified varsity athletes during their final season of competition and 3 months after retiring from sport. RESULTS: After controlling for the effects of pre-retirement anxiety symptoms, endorsement of an athletic identity significantly predicted anxiety symptoms in the post-retirement period. A similar, but non-significant, pattern was observed for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that athletes' degree of athletic identity may be a risk factor for the emergence of psychiatric distress in the months following their retirement from sport. Identity-focused screening or intervention during athletes' sport careers could potentially mitigate some of the psychological difficulties associated with sport retirement.
BACKGROUND: Despite evidence identifying adjustment difficulties among retiring athletes, research investigating factors that contribute to post-retirement complications is limited. Athletic identity may be an important determinant of adverse adaptation to sport retirement. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to address the influence of athletic identity on post-retirement depression and anxiety symptoms among varsity athletes. METHOD: An anonymous, online survey regarding athletic identity and psychiatric symptoms was completed by 72 self-identified varsity athletes during their final season of competition and 3 months after retiring from sport. RESULTS: After controlling for the effects of pre-retirement anxiety symptoms, endorsement of an athletic identity significantly predicted anxiety symptoms in the post-retirement period. A similar, but non-significant, pattern was observed for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that athletes' degree of athletic identity may be a risk factor for the emergence of psychiatric distress in the months following their retirement from sport. Identity-focused screening or intervention during athletes' sport careers could potentially mitigate some of the psychological difficulties associated with sport retirement.
Entities:
Keywords:
Athletic identity; athlete mental health; psychiatric distress; sport retirement; sport transition; varsity sport
Authors: Denise Bastas; Jennifer Vincelli; Riddhita De; Eliana Benia; Sarah Gairdner; Leonardo R Brandão; Laura Avila Journal: Res Pract Thromb Haemost Date: 2022-07-29
Authors: Khadijah Irandoust; Morteza Taheri; Hamdi Chtourou; Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis; Thomas Rosemann; Beat Knechtle Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-22 Impact factor: 3.390