Student-athletes' perceptions of psychosocial development through intercollegiate athletic participation

grantor: University of TorontoResearchers and administrators have investigated the educational and developmental outcomes of participation in college and university sport for over 80 years (Curtis & McTeer, 1990). Unfortunately, empirical results are negligible, even contradictory. Some findings support the educational and developmental value of university sport (Curtis & McTeer, 1990; Henschen & Fry, 1984; Pascarella & Smart, 1991; Ryan, 1989), others oppose it (Adler & Adler, 1985, 1987, 1991; Blinde, 1989; Danylchuk, 1995; Eitzen & Purdy, 1986; Leonard, 1986; Martens, 1985). The purpose of the current study was to explore the psychosocial development of Canadian student-athletes across university using a qualitative methodology. Multiple in-depth interviews were conducted with eight male and female university athletes. Inductive analysis following procedures outlined by Côté, Salmela and Russell (1995) was conducted and revealed two higher order categories, developmental processes and developmental outcomes. Developmental processes described the change and interrelationships between three major spheres in the lives of the participants: the athletic, academic and social spheres. Developmental outcomes reflected the participants' progress or lack thereof on a range of age-appropriate developmental challenges. Both are reviewed in relation to the educational and developmental literature related to intercollegiate athletics. Implications for youth sport in Canada are discussed.Ph.D