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The Collegiate Athlete Perspective on Return to Sport Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Assessment of Confidence, Stress, and Coping Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Oscar Levine

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1350, Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

  • Michael Terry

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1350, Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

  • Vehniah Tjong

    (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 676 North St. Clair Street, Suite 1350, Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for college athletes as they return to sport and campus life. Emerging literature highlights some of these challenges, but no studies have used a primarily qualitative approach to assess the impact of the pandemic on college athletes. The purpose of this study was to better understand factors affecting college athletes’ return to sport and campus life amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with varsity athletes who participated in the 2020–2021 season at a single university. Qualitative analysis was performed using the Strauss and Corbin method to derive codes, categories, and themes. Additionally, Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) scores were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. (3) Results: A total of 20 student athletes were interviewed, revealing that confidence and motivation, increased stress and anxiety, and adaptive coping strategies were common themes affecting their experiences returning to sport and campus life. Results from the ACSI-28 showed an average score of 49.5 and a range of 24–66. (4) Conclusions: Semi-structured interviews revealed factors impacting return to sport and student life. These findings can help inform how to better support college athletes throughout the remainder of the current pandemic and moving forward.

Suggested Citation

  • Oscar Levine & Michael Terry & Vehniah Tjong, 2022. "The Collegiate Athlete Perspective on Return to Sport Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Assessment of Confidence, Stress, and Coping Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6885-:d:831724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ülle Parm & Anu Aluoja & Tuuli Tomingas & Anna-Liisa Tamm, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Estonian Elite Athletes: Survey on Mental Health Characteristics, Training Conditions, Competition Possibilities, and Perception of Supportiveness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-9, April.
    2. Amel Tayech & Mohamed Arbi Mejri & Issam Makhlouf & Ameni Mathlouthi & David G. Behm & Anis Chaouachi, 2020. "Second Wave of COVID-19 Global Pandemic and Athletes’ Confinement: Recommendations to Better Manage and Optimize the Modified Lifestyle," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    3. Yao Zhang & Haoyu Zhang & Xindong Ma & Qian Di, 2020. "Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemics and the Mitigation Effects of Exercise: A Longitudinal Study of College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Urban Johnson & Krister Hertting & Andreas Ivarsson & Eva-Carin Lindgren, 2022. "Favorable Adaptation during SARS-CoV-2-Pandemic as Told by Student-Athletes—A Longitudinal and Behavioral Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.

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