Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2024

Date of Submission

2024-08-02

Advisor

Dr. Ayesha Zia, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

Student-athletes, dual career, sports, adolescents, mixed methods study

Abstract

The thesis explores the dual career pressures faced by A-level student-athletes in Karachi aged 17-20 years, focusing on the intersection of academic demands and athletic commitments. It examines their lived experiences, stressors, and psychological impacts with a mixed-methods approach. The core of the research investigates how these young athletes manage their dual roles, balancing academic schedules and competitive sports. Quantitatively, the research utilized three survey instruments (the ABQ, PFAI and SpBI-DC) to measure fear of failure and burnout levels. Qualitatively, interviews with student-athletes and a coach provided deeper insights into the daily challenges these students face, emphasizing the impacts of juggling these two domains on their mental health and future career choices. Thematic analysis revealed some major themes: difficulties in balancing the student-athlete life, the perceived importance of sports vs. academics and the emotional and psychological experiences of student-athletes. Participants of this study include 75 students from various A-level institutes across Karachi, between the ages of 17-20 years. Out of this 4 interviews were conducted with student-athletes, and 1 with a coach who works with the aforementioned age demographic. The findings suggest that while the dual career has developmental benefits, it also poses unique challenges that can affect the student-athletes’ overall well-being and future career paths. Institutional support appears varied, with some schools providing better support systems for student-athletes, which significantly helps alleviate some of the stressors associated with dual careers.

Pages

41

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