Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Recreation and Sport Management

Major Professor

Robin L. Hardin

Committee Members

Lars Dzikus, James H. Bemiller

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of athletic trainers (ATs) in the mental health care of NCAA Division I student-athletes. Previous research has explored the current experiences of both student-athletes and ATs, along with the current models of care that are prevalent in Division I athletic training rooms. Research described the student-athlete population as unique. According to Beauchemin (2014) the life of a student-athlete “presents challenges and stressors related to athletic status that can lead to a compromised well-being.” This compromised well-being could potentially lead to mental health diagnoses among the student-athlete population. Along with student-athletes, the AT population is also unique in how they live and work on a day-to-day basis. Mazerolle (2016) described the normal day of a collegiate AT as one that begins early in the morning, continuing through the final athletic event of the day. This time ATs around their team’s facilities and their student-athletes leads to a unique relationship between ATs and student-athletes. This relationship and the mental health of student-athletes is where the purpose of this study lies—to discover what that relationship looks like between a collegiate AT and a Division I student-athlete and where the AT lies in the potential mental health care of said student-athlete. Eight participants from various Southeastern Conference (SEC) schools spoke with the researcher about their experiences regarding the topic. One semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant. The semi-structured interview method was chosen as a way to give the interview an initial direction, while allowing for a more conversational interview environment. The quote transcripts were then analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method of thematic analysis. After analyzing the data, four main themes presented themselves: first line of defense, building relationships, holistic care team, and scope of practice. Examining the experience of collegiate ATs and their role in the mental health care of student-athletes can allow collegiate athletic department administrators to better evaluate the resources they currently have for student-athlete mental well-being, along with learning what further resources may be needed to strengthen the level of care provided to the athletes.

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