Abstract

Notwithstanding significant privilege and benefits, research suggests that collegiate student-athletes experience higher rates of mental exhaustion, depression, anxiety, and risk-taking behaviors compared to non-athletic peers. Student-athletes have been found to compartmentalize and manage academic and athletic responsibilities by engaging in a variety of behaviors and cognitive strategies, including dissociation and flow. However, there has been relatively little research on the nature of the relationship between dissociation and flow and its impact among student-athletes. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to examine the effects of dissociative experiences and flow states on mental health, well-being, and risk-taking behaviors among collegiate student-athletes. Additionally, it sought to examine the mediating effects of self-control on both primary variables. In a sample of 235 NCAA collegiate student-athletes, dissociative experiences showed a small but significant negative relationship with tendency to experience flow states, with both variables demonstrating distinct effects. Dissociation was positively correlated with risk-taking behaviors and negatively correlated with self-control and well-being, whereas flow states were positively correlated with well-being and negatively correlated with risk-taking behaviors. Additionally, self-control was negatively correlated with risk-taking behaviors, and was found to be a partial mediator between dissociation and risk-taking behaviors. These findings have important implications for future research on dissociation among collegiate student-athletes, as well as for counselors working with this specialized population. Keywords: student-athletes, dissociation, flow, well-being, risk-taking

First Advisor

Paul Griffin

Document Type

ETD

Date of Award

6-19-2024

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