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How far is too far? Understanding identity and overconformity in collegiate wrestlers
Ashley Coker-Cranney1, Jack C Watson1, Malayna Bernstein2
1Department of Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.
Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
|September 11, 2018
Summary
Athletes often overconform to the sport ethic, pushing boundaries to achieve success. This study found that strong athlete identity leads to risky, deviant behaviors that compromise health.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Sociology of Sport
- Health Behavior
Background:
- Athletes face pressure to excel, often adhering to a 'sport ethic'.
- Overconformity to this ethic can lead to health risks.
- Understanding athlete identity is crucial for exploring these behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between athlete identity and deviant overconformity to the sport ethic.
- To investigate the psychocultural factors influencing athletes' risk-taking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A psychocultural life story framework was used.
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with three NCAA Division I wrestlers.
- Data analysis involved provisional and narrative coding, with results presented via word cloud and creative nonfiction.
Main Results:
- Participants described a process of overconformity to the sport ethic.
- They believed pushing boundaries is necessary for success, but not to an extreme.
- Strong athlete identity was linked to willingness to engage in deviant overconformity.
Conclusions:
- Athlete identity significantly influences engagement in health-compromising behaviors.
- Deviant overconformity is a complex phenomenon within sport culture.
- Further research is needed across diverse sport populations and to develop measurement tools.
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