A phenomenological exploration of the sport-career transition experiences that affect subjective well-being of former national football players

"The purpose of this study was to gain understanding and insight into the dynamics of the sport-career transition experiences of former National Football League athletes and examine how subjective well-being is influenced by this developmental stage. Using the interpretive tradition of phenomenology, and the Conceptual Model of Adaptation to Career Transition as the theoretical framework, interviews with seven former National Football League athletes were conducted. These individuals retired from professional sport-careers within the last six years (1999 - 2005), were at least one year removed from professional competition and were not actively pursuing a career in professional sport. Evidence suggests that most athletes, while they believed that they were prepared for the sport-career transition period, admit that when faced with the retirement event realized that their preparation efforts were inadequate resulting in negative feelings of subjective well-being. Participants in this study reported that they experienced moderate difficulty during the sport-career transition period. Findings centered around four core themes: (a) how former players understand and describe the sport-career transition experience; (b) systems of support to help with the sport-career transition; (c) how to prepare for the sport-career transition; and (d) subjective well-being. Accounts of adjustment difficulties and awareness of the potential for negative subjective well-being allowed participants to advance recommendations for sport-career transition interventions for current and future professional and elite football athletes to promote positive adaptation to the sport-career transition and subjective well-being. The sport career transition is a complex, multidimensional process and the outcome is contingent upon the individuals' cognitive, social, behavioral and emotional resources and level of preparation for the sport-career transition. The importance for athletes to participate in sport-career transition programs during their sport-careers is undeniable and has been revealed to be a powerful facilitator affecting the quality of the sport-career transition after the sport-career has ended."--Abstract from author supplied metadata