Self-Perception of NCAA Division I Student-Athletes

<p>Self-perception is the level of competency at which individuals evaluate themselves in certain areas or domains (Marsh & Shavelson, 1985). An individual’s self-perceptions contribute to their global self-worth, and even predict performance (Cuellar, 2014; Harter & Neemann, 2012). Self-perception is an increasingly popular area of study, and there is a gap in the research as it pertains to college student-athletes (Harter & Neemann, 2012). This study measures self- perception scores, as well as experiences with racial discrimination, of 306 NCAA Division I student-athletes using the Self-Perception Profile for College Students (Harter & Neemann, 2012). Scores are compared across race/ethnicity and gender. Findings suggest that White student-athletes have significantly higher self-perception scores than racial minorities, and recent discrimination (discrimination experiences within the last year) is a significant predictor of multiple areas of self-perception. Results also indicate significant gender differences exist in several areas of self-perception. The implications of this study prompt faculty, and other campus stakeholders to pursue positive relationships with the student-athletes they encounter. Positive relationships between student-athletes and faculty can help raise student-athlete self-perceptions, and in turn, performance in a variety of areas. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Education in Recreation and Sport Management (MEd)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Strehlow, Sean

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stokowski, Sarah E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dittmore, Stephen W.
• Blunt-Vinti, Heather

• College Athletics
• College Sports
• College Student-Athletes
• Discrimination
• NCAA
• Self-Perception
• Sports Management
• Sports Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2630

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-4179