IDENTITY FORECLOSURE, ATHLETIC IDENTITY, AND CAREER MATURITY IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETES

A study was conducted with 124 intercollegiate student-athletes at an NCAA Division I institution to examine the relationship between self-i dentity variables (i.e., identity foreclosure and athletic identity) a nd career maturity. Results indicated that both identity foreclosure a nd athletic identity were inversely related to career maturity. Signif icant effects of gender, playing status (varsity vs. nonvarsity), and sport (revenue producing vs. nonrevenue producing) on career maturity were observed. The findings suggest that failure to explore alternativ e roles and identifying strongly and exclusively with the athlete role are associated with delayed career development in intercollegiate stu dent athletes, and that male varsity student-athletes in revenue-produ cing sports may be especially at risk for impaired acquisition of care er decision-making skills. The results underscore the importance of un derstanding athletic identity issues and exercising caution in challen ging sport-related occupational aspirations in presenting career devel opment interventions to student-athletes.