Athletic Identity: Complexity of the “Iceberg”

Abstract

Athletic identity is a common topic in research on athlete experiences and development. Many researchers rely on the understanding of athletic identity as conceptualized by Brewer, Van Raalte, and Linder (1993). This seminal work provided a foundational understanding for conducting survey research on athletic identity. However, the emphasis on survey approaches has resulted in an incomplete understanding of athletic identity as deeper meanings of the construct are taken for granted (Ronkainen, Kavoura, & Ryba, 2016a). To develop a more nuanced conceptualization of athletic identity, the current study used a qualitative descriptive approach to explore the meaning of athletic identity from the view of current collegiate student-athletes. Participants included nine Division I student-athletes (M age = 19.8; 6 women and 3 men) across several sports. Participants completed individual semi-structured interviews (M time = 47 minutes). Three themes were generated using reflexive thematic analysis: Athletic Identity as "Part of Me"; Commitment to Identity through Athletic Journey; and Self-Recognition of Social Reinforcement. The construct of athletic identity is likened to an iceberg; the reflexive thematic analysis helps describe the complexity of the construct by going beyond the surface view to explore deeper understandings. Such findings are relevant for professionals aiming to more effectively connect with and support this population.

Sport Participation and Psychosocial Factors Which Influence Athletic Identity in Youth Athletes With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

“…Association of athletic identity and race or ethnicity in the youth population is also poorly defined, though Anderson et al and others suggest that Hispanic and minority youths perceive themselves as having lower athletic identity ( Anderson et al, 2009 , 2011 ; Edison et al, 2021 ). Youth athletes appear to conflate athletic identity and personality as they mature ( Von Rosen et al, 2018 ; Newton et al, 2020 ; Edison et al, 2021 ), though athletic identity may begin to decrease with age at the undergraduate level ( Renton et al, 2021 ). The convergence of athletic identity and personality in youth may prove problematic if their athletic identity is interrupted.…”

Differences in athletic identity, sport participation, and psychosocial factors following anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation in youth athletes

“…Additionally, instead of identity transition, it is possible that these athletes struggled to pursue new avenues ( Podlog et al, 2011 ; Von Rosen et al, 2018 ) and found difficulty replacing that aspect of their identity. Regardless, results emphasize that a youth’s athletic identity is vulnerable in times of situational change such as injury, and an adequate support system is essential, as such ( Newton et al, 2020 ).…”

“…To better gauge an athlete’s outcomes in return-to-sport, an understanding of a child’s dependence on and involvement in sport—their athletic identity—may be helpful. Athletes may be forced to alter or abandon their athletic identity during periods of situational change, such as injury and retirement from sport ( Brewer and Cornelius, 2010 ; Newton et al, 2020 ). In fact, injury is a major cause of early retirement at all ages ( Ardern et al, 2014 ; McKay et al, 2019 ).…”

Not a Student, Not an Athlete, a Person

“…Collegiate athletes often live in a hyphenated world wherein each waking moment they are expected to be (and are viewed as) one of multiple identities (Kidd et al, 2018;Newton et al, 2020). Most notably, collegiate athletes often harbor identities that are shaped around their dual roles as a student and an athlete (Sturm et al, 2011).…”

“…While there is inconsistency in the literature as to whether these identities operate independently (Sturm et al, 2011;van Rens et al, 2019;Yukhymenko-Lescroart, 2018), it is known, unsurprisingly, that academic identity is positively associated with academic performance (Guay et al, 2004). On the other hand, a parsimonious definition of athletic identity states that it is the extent to which one embraces the role of an athlete (Newton et al, 2020;Pack et al, 2017). Similar to academic identity, the stronger athletic identity one possesses, the stronger subsequent athletic performances one experiences (van Rens et al, 2019) -most likely due to the increasing commitment and effort expended on these activities.…”