- Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Title:
- The Effect of Psychological Stressors on the Lived Experiences Of African American Division I Athletes in Predominantly White Collegiate Settings: A Descriptive Case Study
- Creator:
- Wesley, Joiet, Clark Atlanta University
- Date of Original:
- 2023-08
- Subject:
- Degrees, Academic
Dissertations, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- born digital
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- The purpose of this mixed-method study was to explore the impact that psychological stressors have on the mental health of African American Division I student athletes. The sample of this study consisted of 112 African American student athletes that attended a Division I PWI between 2000-2020. Out of the initial sample, the lived experiences of five African American student athletes identified that the following psychological stressors, financial barriers, family obligations, racial discrimination, and the need for relationships, including family support and relationships with coaching staff, had an impact on their mental health. The major findings of this study revealed that 81.94% of the student athletes reported that they did experience psychological stressors while enrolled at the Division I predominantly White institution (PWI), with depression (13.26%), racial discrimination (12.71%), and anxiety (12.71%) being the top stressors. However, after becoming a former student athlete, anxiety (19.90%) and depression (18.88%) were the leading psychological stressors experienced. Therefore, there is a significant need for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to provide formal policies and engagement tools related to mental health for the student athlete across all divisions. The overall goal of this research was to minimize stigma, and increase awareness and knowledge related to mental health by improving supportive and professional relationships to encourage athletes to seek mental health services as needed.
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/cau.td:2023_wesley_joiet
- Rights Holder:
- Clark Atlanta University
- Original Collection:
- Atlanta University and Clark Atlanta University Theses and Dissertations
- Holding Institution:
- Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library
- Rights:
-
