Data Mining in the Exploration of Stressors Among NCAA Student Athletes

Abstract

Collegiate student athletes face psychological stressors in adjusting to campus life. This study used preexisting, nationally representative data administered by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for student athletes in 2010 to explore the conjunctive relationships among demographics, personal characteristics, social contexts, and physical condition in predicting perceived stress. The number of valid samples was 19,967 from 609 member institutions. A data mining methodology (i.e., SEARCH) was applied to model the distribution of the perceived stress. Results showed that significant stressors included the variables related to academics, physical well-being, and social contexts. Academic anxiety was the most important predictor, and its interactions with abusive coaching behavior and an inclusive team environment were shown to reduce perceived stress. Sufficient sleep was also found as a moderator in the positive relationship between perceived stress and academic anxiety.

Onset insomnia and insufficient sleep duration are associated with suicide ideation in university students and athletes

“…These trends suggest that abrupt changes in student-athlete sleep health resulting from psychological stress may be issues worth monitoring by social support networks associated with university athletic programs. Factors that can precipitate stress among student-athletes include not just the daily stressors of academic performance and social/community obligations, but also the possibility of reduction or loss of scholarship, sustaining an injury, loss of travel or competition eligibility, removal from the team, or a premature end to their athletic professional career (Hwang and Choi, 2016;Selby et al, 1990;Smith and Milliner, 1994;Storch et al, 2005).…”

“…Suicidal ideation is pervasive among those participating in college sports (Rao et al, 2015). Student athletes experience significant physical and psychosocial stress due to program expectations, where a systematic balance among the trifecta of athletic performance, academic achievement, and social obligations is demanded (Hwang and Choi, 2016). Unfortunately, for some student-athletes, their involvement in sports can strain their mental stability and create conflicts with meeting institutional expectations (Brown et al, 2014).…”

Navigating the Ethically Complex and Controversial World of College Athletics: A Humanistic Leadership Approach to Student Athlete Well-Being

“…While supportive in various ways, these athletics-related entities may have different ideals and expectations than those of higher education. Student athletes are then caught up in the athletic subculture, which potentially undermines the student component of their role and creates ongoing distress (Hwang & Choi, 2016 ).…”

“…The expectation for athletes to perform well in multiple areas causes them significant stress (Hwang and Choi, 2016 ; Whitehead & Senecal, 2020 ; Yang, et al, 2007 ). In a recently published word cloud showing responses to what student athletes would most like to change about their experience, NCAA’s ( 2014 ) Research Extra Point reports ‘time’ as the most frequently cited word and most of the accompanying student athlete comments related to time management difficulties and time demands.…”

Does Eligibility Classification Matter? Tracking Cardiac Autonomic Function during a Collegiate Soccer Season

“…Participating in sport and education is highly stressful [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. In particular, collegiate student-athletes are susceptible to experiencing multiple stressors from both their sporting and academic commitments [ 5 ].…”