An investigation on the problems of college student-athletes participating in Universiade 2005

Abstract

This study investigates some of the problems that college student-athletes experience during their school life and considers the relationship between these problems and a number of other variables. The study involved 420 participants from 30 countries who were contacted during the 23rd Universiade Olympics held in Izmir (Turkey) in 2005. Murray's (1997) scale was used to determine the sources and levels of the problems experienced by the participants with regard to responsibility, emotional problems, personal fears, social fears, needs, and personal problems. The study yielded the following results: firstly, that student-athletes suffer from problems related to responsibility, personal problems and fears, and needs while they do not have any emotional or social problems. Secondly, gender was found to be a significant factor affecting the level of problems in terms of emotional and personal fears. Thirdly and finally, nationality was found to be another significant variable affecting the problem areas such as responsibility, emotional and personal problems, personal and social fears and needs. In the light of the study, it was recommended that a certain level of awareness should be raised among target groups about the problems they could possibly encounter, as well as gender and socioeconomic differences, and that sports counselling units should be founded so that such problems could be solved and student-athletes could be better prepared to face them as they arise in both their sporting and educational careers.