Date of Award
2018
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Identifier
ETD2019Wooten
School/University
St. Mary's University
Document Type
Dissertation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of retired female athletes after they have retired from Division I athletics. The study sought to understand retired female athletes' subsequent transition out of athletics and their loss in identity, if any. With increased understanding of psychological and emotional facets of retired female athletes, counselors may be able to provide more appropriate and well-tailored interventions, support, and guidance required for adaptive transitions in identity. Six retired female athletes were recruited to describe their lived experiences of transition out of athletics in a single semi-structured audio interview. Data comprised participants' personal narratives describing their experiences, and participants' artifacts. Results consist of participant profiles, individual depictions, description of themes, and the researcher's creative synthesis. Findings from this study expand the current body of empirical research on sport literature and counseling, and inform future research, training, theory, supervision, and clinical practice.
Recommended Citation
Wooten, Catherine Cody, "A Heuristic Inquiry into Female Student-Athletes' Experiences of Identity Loss after Retirement from Sport" (2018). Theses & Dissertations. 29.
https://commons.stmarytx.edu/dissertations/29