PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Transitioning out of elite sports can be a challenging time for athletes. To illuminate the gaps and opportunities in existing support systems and better understand which initiatives may have the greatest benefit in supporting athletes to transition out of elite sport, this study examined the lived experience of retired elite Australian athletes. Using a sequential mixed-methods approach, quantitative data were collected via a self-report online survey, while qualitative data were collected via semistructured interviews. In total 102 retired high-performance athletes (M=27.35, SD=7.25 years) who competed in an Olympic or Paralympic recognised sport at the national and/or international-level participated in the online survey, providing data across domains of well-being and athletic retirement. Eleven survey respondents opted in for the semistructured interview (M=28.9, SD=6.9 years) providing in-depth responses on their retirement experiences. Using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), latent variables were identified from the survey data and associations between retirement support, retirement difficulties, retirement experiences, well-being and mental health were determined. Interview data were thematically analysed. The structural model had good predictive validity for all nine latent variables, describing positive and negative associations of retirement experiences, mental health and well-being. Building an identity outside of sport, planning for retirement, and having adaptive coping strategies positively impacted retirement experiences. Feeling behind in a life stage and an abrupt loss of athletic identity had a negative impact on retirement experiences. Implications for sports policymakers are discussed, including support strategies that could better assist athletes in successfully transitioning from elite sports.
摘要：
对运动员来说，退出精英运动可能是一个具有挑战性的时期。为了阐明现有支持系统中的差距和机会，并更好地了解哪些举措可能对支持运动员从精英运动中过渡出最大的好处，这项研究调查了退休的澳大利亚精英运动员的生活经历。使用顺序混合方法方法，定量数据是通过自我报告在线调查收集的，而定性数据是通过半结构化访谈收集的。共有102名退休的高性能运动员（M=27.35，SD=7.25岁）参加了国家和/或国际级别的奥运会或残奥会认可运动，参加了在线调查。提供福利和运动退休领域的数据。11位受访者选择了半结构化访谈（M=28.9，SD=6.9年），对他们的退休经历提供了深入的回应。使用偏最小二乘结构方程模型(PLS-SEM)，从调查数据和退休支持之间的关联中确定了潜在变量，退休困难,退休经历,确定了幸福和心理健康。访谈数据进行了主题分析。结构模型对所有9个潜在变量都有很好的预测效度，描述退休经历的积极和消极联系，心理健康和幸福。在体育之外建立身份，退休计划,具有适应性应对策略对退休经历产生积极影响。在人生阶段感到落后，运动身份的突然丧失对退休经历产生了负面影响。讨论了对体育政策制定者的影响，包括支持策略，可以更好地帮助运动员成功地从精英运动过渡。
