Exploring the Problems of Student-Athletes Participating In Universities

Abstract

This study was carried out to explore the problems of student-athlete. The study sought to shed light on university students’ unique experiences of problems through their dual roles of being students and athletes. This study aimed to describe the different kinds of problems (social, emotional, and academic) that student-athletes experience in their daily lives.  This study was qualitative in nature and narrative research design was used. In this study, 8 student-athletes were taken as a sample through the snowball sampling technique. Data were collected through interviews, taken by the participants at the university level. Semi-structured interview was used to collect data. Narrative analysis was used in this study for data analysis. Results showed that student-athletes face different problems in their dual role as they have to give their 100% on both sides. They face social, emotional, and academic issues while managing their student-athlete academic and athletic career. It was also found that the social issues which have been faced like segregation, offseason issues, the effect of failure and success, and less involvement in social activities. Among emotional issues, they face depression, stress, anxiety, being left out, and relationship problems. The academic issues they face were low academic performance, less time for studies, and less attendance in classes.