Author: Christine M. Caldwell

Publisher:

Published: 2018

Total Pages: 105

ISBN-13:

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the relationship between athletic identity foreclosure and career development (i.e., career maturity and career exploration) through the use of a sport-specific measure of athletic identity foreclosure. Student-athletes (N = 280) from colleges and universities in the United States provided demographic information and completed the Career Maturity Inventory - Form C, the Career Exploration Survey – Revised, and the Sport-Specific Measure of Identity Foreclosure. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that athletic identity foreclosure was inversely related both to career maturity and career exploration, suggesting that student-athletes who strongly and exclusively commit to their role as athletes fail to explore other non-sport-related career options. Additionally, student-athletes with high levels of athletic identity foreclosure may be less willing and capable of efficiently engaging in vocational tasks than studentathletes who are not in foreclosed in their athletic identity. Limitations of the study, areas for future research, and applied implications are discussed.