Abstract

The current study aimed to examine stressors that had the most significant impact on the mental health and performance of Division III student-athletes during competition. The sample comprised 115 College of Wooster athletes between the ages of 18 and 22. A questionnaire study was conducted to examine the potential effects of gender, sports type, and race on anxiety, common stress factors, coach-athlete-parent relationships (positive or negative), and the experiences of racial microaggressions. Additionally, an interview study was conducted with 13 BIPOC College of Wooster student-athletes to explore whether they experience race-based stressors in their sport environment. Results of this study suggested athletes during competition show significant differences in gender on anxiety and of sports type on a negative coach-athlete-parent relationship. Moreover, there were significant correlations between anxiety, common athlete stress factors, and encountered racial microaggressions. No statistically significant differences were found in anxiety levels, common athlete stress factors, and coach-athlete-parent relationships based on race. This study further revealed that certain BIPOC athletes may encounter stress related to their race, but this is not necessarily the case for all BIPOC athletes. BIPOC athletes experience high-level stressors related to their performance and interactions with their teammates and coaches. Further exploration in this field should be pursued to learn more about athletic stressors and their influence on athletes’ mental and physical health during competition, with an emphasis on underrepresented groups that have not been adequately addressed in previous research.

Advisor

Clayton, Susan

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Mental Health, Race, Racism, Racial DIscrimination, Division III, Athlete, Stress, Stressors, BIPOC, Anxiety, Coach-Athlete-Parent, POC

Publication Date

2023

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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