First Advisor

Megan Babkes Stellino

First Committee Member

Scott Douglas

Degree Name

Master of Science

Document Type

Thesis

Date Created

5-1-2024

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Kinesiology Nutrition and Dietetics, KiND Student Work

Abstract

There is an epidemic of mental health issues that has begun to be more openly talked about in college athletics. In 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association has found that college student-athletes are now 1.5-2 times more likely to report struggling with mental health than ever before. Previous research has shown a significant association with basic psychological needs satisfaction and overall psychological well-being. Furthermore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the possible ways that reported of autonomy, competence, and relatedness need satisfaction predicted whether athletes would seek mental health services and identify how athletic identity plays into this relationship. Participants in this study included 52 current National Collegiate Athletic Association collegiate student-athletes (34 female and 18 male) from Division I, Division II, and Division III schools. Results indicated a significant relationship between the three factors of basic psychological needs satisfaction (competence, autonomy, and relatedness) and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help, as well as a significant result between autonomy and relatedness association with athletic identity. No significance was found between athletic identity and predictions of attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help.

Abstract Format

html

Disciplines

Mental and Social Health | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Sports Sciences

Keywords

Mental Health, Sport, Basic Needs, Athletic Identity

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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