Date of Award

2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Tracy De Hart

Abstract

The goal of the current research is to explore the dual identities of collegiate student-athletes. More specifically, it aims to examine how the salience of the two identities may impact identity conflict and stress levels. Balancing the demands of academics and athletics presents unique challenges to this population. Academically, time constraints, missed classes, pressure to maintain GPA, and mental fatigue present barriers to academic success, while athletically, rigorous training schedules, frequent travel, and the pressure to perform consistently present obstacles to excel in their sport. The constant tug and pull between balancing the responsibilities of two roles that significantly shape their identity and college experience creates a pathway for identity conflict. In the study conducted by Lu et al. (2018), they found that student-athletes who identify strongly as students and/or athletes experience frequent identity conflict, regardless of the salience of the other identity. Further, they found that student-athletes with higher identity conflict described situations of identity conflict involving stress. This conflict has the potential to heighten stress levels, which can impact both their performance and overall well-being, Despite a growing body of research surrounding the mental health of collegiate athletes, few studies have explored how the salience of their identities contributes to identity conflict and furthermore stress. Understanding how these dual roles contribute to identity conflict and stress is essential for improving the well-being of student-athletes. This study aims to investigate the interaction effect of the salience of academic and athletic identities and how potential identity conflict from this interaction affects stress levels. It works to replicate the work of Lu et al. (2018) with a different population. While Lu et al. (2018) studied participants solely at Power conferences this research will focus on participants from mid-major universities as their experiences may differ due to distinct academic and athletic pressures. Further, this will explore the role that collegiate environments may play. The current study will use an online survey methodology. We will recruit Division 1 student-athletes at mid-major universities to participate through email. Participants will complete an online survey lasting no more than 15 minutes to measure the salience of their academic and athletic identities, their stress levels and to measure identity conflict. Data collection will be completed using Qualtrics (a secure online survey software). We hypothesize that there will be an interaction effect between athletic identity salience and academic identity salience. Furthermore, the link between athletic identity salience and identity conflict will be stronger for student-athletes with higher academic identity salience. Additionally, we hypothesize that the link between athletic identity salience and stress will be stronger for student-athletes with higher academic identity salience.

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