Key result
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted collegiate athletes' return to sport through themes of confidence and motivation, increased stress and anxiety, and adaptive coping strategies, with an average ACSI-28 coping score of 49.5.
Cross-Sectional (n=20)
No
College athletes returning to sport during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced significant stress and anxiety, highlighting the need for targeted support and adaptive coping strategies.
May warrant mental health screening in returning athletes; leaves open causal effects and intervention benefits.
(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for college athletes as they return to sport and campus life. Emerging literature highlights some of these challenges, but no studies have used a primarily qualitative approach to assess the impact of the pandemic on college athletes. The purpose of this study was to better understand factors affecting college athletes' return to sport and campus life amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with varsity athletes who participated in the 2020-2021 season at a single university. Qualitative analysis was performed using the Strauss and Corbin method to derive codes, categories, and themes. Additionally, Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) scores were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. (3) Results: A total of 20 student athletes were interviewed, revealing that confidence and motivation, increased stress and anxiety, and adaptive coping strategies were common themes affecting their experiences returning to sport and campus life. Results from the ACSI-28 showed an average score of 49.5 and a range of 24-66. (4) Conclusions: Semi-structured interviews revealed factors impacting return to sport and student life. These findings can help inform how to better support college athletes throughout the remainder of the current pandemic and moving forward.
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Levine et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Collegiate athletes returning to sport during COVID-19 pandemic (n=20). COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated on Themes affecting experiences returning to sport and campus life, and ACSI-28 scores. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted collegiate athletes' return to sport through themes of confidence and motivation, increased stress and anxiety, and adaptive coping strategies, with an average ACSI-28 coping score of 49.5.
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