ABSTRACT
The aim of this FEPSAC Position Statement is to summarize current knowledge about athletes' dual careers (DCs) in the European context and propose recommendations for future DC research, practice, and policy. Inspired by the European Union's Guidelines on Dual Careers of Athletes (European Commission, 2012), researchers, practitioners, and policy makers collaborated over the last decade to create the European DC discourse as a context-informed and negotiated body of DC knowledge. In this paper, we proceed from analyzing this body of knowledge using recent review papers and European DC psychological research projects to formulating seven postulates summarizing DC research findings on factors influencing athletes in their striving for DC excellence. These factors include (1) context, (2) pathways and transitions, (3) challenges, (4) resources and coping, (5) support and empowerment, (6) student-athletes' mental health, and (7) DC development environments. In the final section, we acknowledge the contributions of European DC discourse in serving athletes in their pursuit of DC excellence and European DC culture. We also provide a critical discussion on DC knowledge gaps and, on behalf of FEPSAC, offer recommendations for DC research, practice, and policy in Europe.
Subject(s)
Athletes , Occupations , Humans , Surveys and Questionnaires , Athletes/psychology , Students , EuropeABSTRACT
RESUMEN Estudiantes deportistas de alto rendimiento enfrentan demandas en distintas áreas de su vida al realizar una Carrera Dual (CD). En este estudio exploramos la relación entre experiencias de CD y Salud Mental (SM). Un total de 128 estudiantes deportistas de alto rendimiento respondieron los cuestionarios DCES, MHLS-12, y MHC-SF. Los resultados muestran que las experiencias de CD y alfabetización en SM influyen positivamente en el estado de SM de los estudiantes deportistas. Estos resultados subrayan la importancia de potenciar la interacción investigación-aplicación, involucrando al entorno para fortalecer la SM a través de experiencias positivas y alfabetización.
ABSTRACT High-performance student athletes face demands in different areas of their lives when pursuing a dual career (DC). We explored the relationship between DC experiences and mental health (MH). A total of 128 high-performance student athletes completed questionnaires (DCES, MHLS-12, MHC-SF). The results show that DC experiences and MH literacy contribute to MH status. These results reinforce the need to continue to strengthen the research-application relationship by engaging the entourage to enhance MH through positive experiences and literacy.
RESUMO Estudantes-atletas experimentam diferentes demandas em suas vidas para equilibrar a condição de dupla carreira (DC). Neste estudo, exploramos a relação entre essas experiências e a saúde mental (SM) dos estudantes-atletas. Aplicamos questionários (DCES, MHLS-12, MHC-SF) e obtivemos 128 respostas do público-alvo. Os resultados mostraram que o equilíbrio na DC e saber sobre SM contribuem ao estado de SM dos estudantes-atletas. Por fim, reforçamos a necessidade de fortalecer a pesquisa aplicada, visando o envolvimento do ambiente social do estudante-atleta nas suas experiências positivas na DC, auxiliando-o no seu bem-estar de SM.
