Abstract
College student-athletes perform at high levels in school and sport. Previous studies have found academic barriers (e.g., time management) and contributors (e.g., academic center supports; Hardin & Pate, 2013), but there is a need to investigate factors that impact success for athletic and academic pursuits in tandem. In the present study 176 college student-athletes across nine institutions and 18 sports answered the following: What do you feel contributes to your success (1) in school? (2) in your sport(s)? What do you feel is a barrier to your success (3) in school? (4) in your sport(s)? Themes were categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic according to Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000) and thematically analyzed. For contributors to academic success, athletes listed intrinsic factors (e.g., study effort/skills) more often than extrinsic factors (e.g., social support). The academic barriers question showed extrinsic factors (e.g., balance/other obligations) were reported more than intrinsic factors (e.g., underdeveloped skills). For athletic success, intrinsic contributors (e.g., determination and mindset) and intrinsic barriers (e.g., mental barriers) were cited more than extrinsic counterparts. Applying these findings using SDT’s basic psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, relatedness) can inform key student-athlete success stakeholders and inform development programming at the collegiate level.
Recommended Citation
Hart, Kayleigh; Madrigal, Leilani; Ede, Alison; and Fogaca, Janaina
(2025)
"The Dual Demands of College Student-Athletes: A Qualitative Exploration of Contributors and Barriers to Academic and Athletic Success,"
Journal of Athlete Development and Experience: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/jade/vol7/iss1/2
JADE_Research
