Who Am I to Become? A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of Identity Transition in Student Athletes Sari Little Submitted to the graduate degree program in Health, Sport, & Exercise Science and the Graduate Faculty of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Dissertation Defense Date: April 20, 2020 Chair: Dr. Jordan Bass Dr. Brian Gordon Dr. Susan Harvey Dr. Zachary Foste Dr. Susan Williams ii Date of Defense: 20 April 2020 The dissertation committee for Sari J. Little certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: Who Am I to Become? A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of Identity Transition in Student Athletes _____________________________ Dr. Jordan Bass, Chair iii Abstract The purpose of this dissertation was to explore and establish a better understanding of how student athletes identify themselves and create understanding of their transition out of their final year of baccalaureate study and intercollegiate athletic eligibility. The study is supported by three primary theoretical frameworks: identity theory; social identity theory; and transition theory. Further, research on student athlete identity, athlete identity threat and foreclosure, and student athlete career decision-making self-efficacy and career preparedness also bolsters this study. Because this study seeks to create understanding of the lived experiences of its participants, it is qualitative in nature. Specifically, the study subscribes to the phenomenological methodology due to the descriptive and exploratory nature of the study’s purpose. The study consists of twelve interviews from six participants. The first interview with each participant occurred weeks prior to graduating from college; the second interview took place roughly six months post-graduation. This longitudinal timeline was implemented to account for each participant transitioning from their student athlete experience into various professional endeavors. The interviews in this study were semi-structured to allow for conversational dialogue between the researcher and participant, thus aligning with the phenomenological framework. In lieu of traditional qualitative data analysis methods, the Listening Guide is the analytic tool implemented in this study. The Listening Guide is chosen specifically for it’s qualitative, relational and voice-centered data analysis approach. While traditional research designs call for the research findings to be presented in one chapter and discussed in the next, this study is unorthodox in its approach. A study of this nature is better presented as an infusion of finding and discussion per participant, as opposed to presenting the findings of all twelve interviews and then discussing them collectively. iv After an in-depth analysis of each participant’s findings, the study concludes with an acknowledgement of the research limitations as well as directions for future research. v Acknowledgements If you would have told me five years ago that I would be sitting in an apartment in Lawrence, Kansas, writing acknowledgements for a doctoral dissertation, I would have thought you were crazy. Actually, I do think that - this entire experience has been absolutely crazy. My graduate career has been a truly incredible and unforgettable experience, and while I’m still trying to convince myself that this is real, there are several people I owe this entire experience to. First and foremost, it is by God’s amazing grace that I made it through this chapter of my life. I never could have predicted what You had in store for me, but I am confident that you put this dream in my heart on purpose and for Your purpose. My hope is that this work has glorified You, and I can’t wait to see what you have next for me as I press on toward the goal to win the prize (Philippians 3:14). Dr. Jordan Bass, I blame all of this on you. I remember the day you not pulled me into your office and asked me to consider pursuing my PhD. Since that conversation, irreplaceable friendships were formed, intellectual curiosities were sparked, and deep roots were laid in this Midwest soil. As such, calling Lawrence, Kansas my home is entirely your fault, and I hope to forgive you someday. Jokes aside, I could not have imagined doing this without you, Jordan. From some of my greatest triumphs to the lowest points in my life, you were there for me. I type this with tears in my eyes as I fall short in expressing my deepest gratitude to you. Thank you for seeing me, challenging me, and growing me. And thank you for welcoming me into your family without hesitation – Robin, Julian, Charlotte and Gail, I love you guys. To my committee members, Dr. Brian Gordon, Dr. Susan Williams, Dr. Zak Foste, Dr. Susan Harvey, and Dr. Bernie Kish, I thank each of you for the value and support you have vi contributed to my academic and professional pursuits. It is a privilege to have each of you on my committee – thank you so much for everything you have done for me. Dr. Gordon, thank you for your warm and inviting presence. There has never been a time that I felt I couldn’t come talk to you, about anything and everything. You are one of the most gifted professors I have ever had the privilege to learn from, and your drive to question the status quo has encouraged me since I met you. Dr. Susan Williams, you are one of the most awe-inspiring people I have ever met. Thank you for being the best example of a badass woman in academia, college athletics, and life itself; I hope to someday be a fraction of the woman you are. Dr. Zak Foste, your encouragement and enthusiasm for my research has been so affirming and reassuring. I am so appreciative of the countless conversations held over coffee – next one’s on me. Dr. Susan Harvey, I am truly indebted to have you in my corner. I thank you so much for your kindness, adaptability, and insight into my work. Dr. Bernie Kish, your passion for the world of sports, higher education, and especially your students is unmatched. Thank you for imparting in me an excitement for the possibility all around me; I am honored to have been your student. To my family at Kansas Athletics, both colleagues and student athletes… where do I begin? My graduate journey would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for this incredible place. To Paul, Glenn, Laura K., Nicole, Jane, Megan, and countless others, thank you for helping me grow into the professional I am today and live out my dream of working in college athletics. To the student athletes I have had the privilege to work with these last five years – you have been the best part of this entire experience. Thank you for letting me be a small part of the team. Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk. To my beautiful and zany family, I wouldn’t trade you for the world. Mom, you are the strongest, most courageous woman I know. I don’t think a single day has gone by that you vii haven’t told me how proud you are of me – but you’ll never know how proud I am to call you my mama. I feel your love all these miles away, and I hope you know how much I love you. Gramma, you are the source of my moxie and zeal, and I can never thank you enough for the countless times you’ve encouraged me and reminded me of who I am and where I come from. Aunt Nadine, thank you for believing in me and understanding what the heck grad school is all about – it’s been so refreshing to know that you understand this grind. Keep battling, Aunty. To my siblings, Tyson, Trish, Laurin, Sam, Haeleigh and Halston, thank you for keeping me grounded and being my biggest cheerleaders. Even though you’ve each asked me no less than a hundred times what I’m studying, I’m glad you asked – sometimes I forget, too. I love you all more than you could possibly know. They say it takes a village, and I wouldn’t trade mine for the world. There are so many amazing humans that made this journey possible. To Danny, Brooke, Hannah & Kegan, Alex, Robby, Bri, Ali, Lauren & Matt, and so many more – you each have loved me, supported this wild dream, and picked me up when I thought I was down for the count. I can never thank you enough for being my people. I love each of you with every ounce of my heart. To my Velocity tribe, thank you for always reminding me who I am and Whose I am. This place is what community is all about. Finally, I would like to thank my Daddy. What a ride, huh? Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. In every step of this journey, I have sought to make you proud. So many of my best attributes come from you, and I hope to live my every day with the joy and bliss that you did. You are my whole heart, and I miss you like crazy. I love you, ya Big Goof. And, yes, you do have to call me Doctor Sar. Byeiloveyou. viii Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................1 Commercialization and Idolization of Sport ....................................................................7 Tangible Social Benefits of Sport Participation...............................................................9 Student Athlete Mental Health.........................................................................................10 Chapter 2: Literature