Holistic Wellness of Student-Athletes

Mark Erickson B.A., ATCAdam Higginbotham M.A.

Importance“Most will go pro in something other than

sports.”

Overview of the LiteratureTraditional college student’s struggles:

Transition from high schoolLeaving home for the first timeNew social dynamics and friend groupsNew portions of responsibility Academic rigor

Overview of the LiteratureStudies are revealing that 10% to 15% of college

student-athletes face real issues that necessitate professional counseling.Flexibility of ScheduleTravelMaintaining optimal physical conditionMedia stress InjuriesDemands of coaching staff

(Watson & Kissinger, 2007; Wittmer et al., 1981, p. 53)

“In too many cases, college coaches recruit only the best athletes and place little or no emphasis on character, intelligence, study habits, academic ability, or other qualities necessary to succeed in the classroom. As a result, many athletes do not receive their college diplomas” (Wittmer et al., 1981, p. 53)

University of New Mexico Case Study10 year study; degree completion 4 years

5.7% Football/ 7.3% Basketball

Participants 83 Total Participants

33 Student-Athletes

50 General population who participated in a Thanksgiving Mexico Outreach Trip

48 Female

35 Male

(27 first-years, 18 sophomores, 21 juniors, and 17 seniors).

8 students who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander, 4 Black/African American, 7 Hispanic/Latino, 6 Multiracial/Biracial, and 57 White/Caucasian.

MethodsOnline survey sent out that measured wellness

1. Social Self

2. Essential Self

3. Creative Self

4. Physical Self

5. Coping Self

Survey Questions Social

I have difficulty separating who I am from what I do.

Essential I feel comfortable using any campus resource center.

Creative I feel as though I am able to contribute in the classroom.

Physical I do not feel welcome in a fitness center available to me.

Coping I believe that my life has worth.

Composite Means in Factors of Wellness

Student-Athletes Non Student-Athletes

Social 3.25 3.13

Essential 2.98 3.06

Creative 3.39 3.46

Physical 3.49 3.16

Coping 3.25 3.20

ResultsIndependent Sample T-test

Physical Self:Student-Athletes (t=-4.19,p<.001)Off Campus Housing (t=2.12,p<.05)

Correlations

Correlation of Composite Factors of WellnessStudent-Athlete (Yes) vs. Non Student-Athlete (No)

Social Essential Creative Physical Coping

Social Yes No

-- .544**.185

.506**.258

.037.368**

.395*.395**

Essential Yes No

-- .411*.230

.115-.153

.546**.297*

Creative Yes No

-- -.102.211

.501**

.424**

Physical Yes No

-- -.081.274

Coping Yes No

--

Note: *p<.05, **p<.01

Significance CAS Standards- Recreational Sports Program

Mission, practical competence, precedence of integrity and diversity

Azusa Pacific University’s Athletic Program

CAS Professional Standards for Higher Education (2012)

Limitations Time

Resources

Team Availability

Type of Institution-Division II Christian University

Future ResearchChristian Universities vs. Public Universities

Different athletic programs

General populations

References Dean, L. A. (Ed.). (2012). Cas Professional Standards for Higher Education (8

ed.). Washington, D.C.: Council for the Advancement of.

Jordan, J. M., & Denson, E. L. (1990). Student services for athletes: A model for enhancing the student-athlete experience . Journal of Counseling &

Development, 69, 95-97.

Skowron, E. A., & Friedlander, M. L. (1994). Psychological separation, self-control, and weight preoccupation among elite women athletes. Journal of Counseling & Development, 72, 310-315.

Steiner, H., Pyle, R., Brassington, G., Matheson, G., & King, M. (2003). The college health related information survey (C.H.R.I.S.-73): A screen for college student athletes. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 34(2), 97-109.

Watson, J. (2006). Student-athlete and counseling: Factors influencing the decision to seek counseling services. College Student Journal, 40(1), 35-42.

Watson, J. C., & Kissinger, D. B. (2007). Athletic participation and wellness: Implications for counseling college student-athletes. Journal of College Counseling, 10, 153-162.