Expectations and disadvantages: a case study approach exploring the mental health challenges of elite, student-athlete women

Wilkins, L, Benallal, N, Allen, PM, Beukes, E and Healy, LC ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1372-7308, 2024. Expectations and disadvantages: a case study approach exploring the mental health challenges of elite, student-athlete women. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. ISSN 1612-197X

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Abstract

Elite athletes, student-athletes, and women are reported to have an increased risk of experiencing mental health concerns, yet little is known about how the intersectionality of these three factors affect the individual. The present study addressed this by interviewing members of an international women’s Junior World Cup hockey team. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify two triadic themes (i.e., challenges encompassing all three factors) and three dyadic themes (two of the three factors). These findings, and in particular, the triadic themes of ‘Pressure of Expectation’ and ‘Comparative Disadvantages’, reveal the multifaceted nature of the challenges faced by this unique cohort. We identify possible explanations for our findings and discuss implications for optimising the experiences of elite, student-athlete women.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Creators:	Wilkins, L., Benallal, N., Allen, P.M., Beukes, E. and Healy, L.C.
Publisher:	Informa UK Limited
Date:	11 September 2024
ISSN:	1612-197X
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1080/1612197x.2024.2400900 DOI 2216080 Other
Rights:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology on 11 September 2024, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2024.2400900
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	16 Sep 2024 10:57
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2024 10:57
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52221

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