Mind Over Matter: The obstacles and importance of providing psychological care to collegiate athletes
Presenter Information
Elizabeth Wayne, Duquesne University Psychology Department
Joe'L Kane, Duquesne University Psychology Department
Abstract
In the collegiate athletic world, there has been an increasing emphasis on the mental health of student-athletes, but what is being done to enhance the mental well being of this newfound vulnerable population? We are seeking to understand the student-athlete perception of counseling services compared to the psycho-social help they receive in the athletic training room and from the support staff there. Many athletes go to the training room to help with their physical and mental ailments. This research will address the need for the athletic department at Duquesne to consider hiring a full-time sports psychologist or clinical psychologist.
The study will involve the collection of quantitative and qualitative data in regard to the student-athlete perception of the Duquesne University counseling center. This research serves as a method to explore how the athletic training room serves as a therapeutic environment in athletic departments in place of the university counseling center. The results will be produced through the use of ethnographic content compared to survey results and interview transcripts. Interviews will take place at various private locations as they will contain sensitive content. The number of interviews will vary but the goal is to interview at least one athlete per team to offer a variety of perspectives from the student-athletes.
The physical bodies of athletes at Duquesne are well taken care of but the care for their mental wellness has not been provided with the same support. There are many athletes that have gone to seek help but have felt that it was inadequate or inaccessible. Having an in-house sports psychologist may help decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and make it easier for athletes to get the help that they will need without any logistical barriers. This study will capture the needs of student-athletes at Duquesne and hopefully spark change in the athletic department that is meant to care for them.
School
McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
Advisor
Dr. Alex Kranjec
Submission Type
Poster
Publication Date
May 2020
Mind Over Matter: The obstacles and importance of providing psychological care to collegiate athletes
In the collegiate athletic world, there has been an increasing emphasis on the mental health of student-athletes, but what is being done to enhance the mental well being of this newfound vulnerable population? We are seeking to understand the student-athlete perception of counseling services compared to the psycho-social help they receive in the athletic training room and from the support staff there. Many athletes go to the training room to help with their physical and mental ailments. This research will address the need for the athletic department at Duquesne to consider hiring a full-time sports psychologist or clinical psychologist.
The study will involve the collection of quantitative and qualitative data in regard to the student-athlete perception of the Duquesne University counseling center. This research serves as a method to explore how the athletic training room serves as a therapeutic environment in athletic departments in place of the university counseling center. The results will be produced through the use of ethnographic content compared to survey results and interview transcripts. Interviews will take place at various private locations as they will contain sensitive content. The number of interviews will vary but the goal is to interview at least one athlete per team to offer a variety of perspectives from the student-athletes.
The physical bodies of athletes at Duquesne are well taken care of but the care for their mental wellness has not been provided with the same support. There are many athletes that have gone to seek help but have felt that it was inadequate or inaccessible. Having an in-house sports psychologist may help decrease the stigma associated with mental illness and make it easier for athletes to get the help that they will need without any logistical barriers. This study will capture the needs of student-athletes at Duquesne and hopefully spark change in the athletic department that is meant to care for them.