ERIC Number: ED582662
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 143
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3555-9298-6
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Career Maturity and College Students: A Case Study Comparison of Student-Athletes and Non-Athletes at a Division I Institution
Tarver, Walter L., III.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
This quantitative comparative research study examines the career maturity of student-athletes in comparison to non-athletes at a Division I university. The study also measures differences in career maturity among student-athletes based on gender, class level, race/ethnicity, by sport, by type of sport (revenue/non-revenue), and professional sports aspirations. Super's Theory of Career Development served as the theoretical framework, while disproportionate stratified sampling was utilized to secure the student-athlete (N = 122) and non-athlete (N = 171) participants. Data collection occurred via an online survey comprised of the 25-question Career Maturity Inventory-Revised Attitude Scale (CMI-R/AS), as well as 13 demographic and supplemental questions. An analysis of the data indicated that student-athletes exhibited lower levels of career maturity compared to non-athletes, though the difference was not highly significant. The data also yielded the following key findings. First, as student-athletes' belief in their likelihood that they would play professional sports decreased, their levels of career maturity increased. Next, student-athletes competing in football, baseball, and men's basketball exhibited the lowest levels of career maturity across sports. In addition, student-athletes who identified most with their athletic identities exhibited lower levels of career maturity. Finally, as class level and year of eligibility increased, student-athletes' levels of career maturity increased. The study concludes with some recommendations on how to engage student-athletes in the career development process and some suggestions for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Case Studies, Athletes, Team Sports, Attitude Measures, Vocational Maturity, Statistical Analysis, Comparative Analysis, College Students, College Athletics, Sampling, Online Surveys, Career Development
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Career Maturity Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A