College Student-athletes’ Subjectivity on Leisure Constraints

Abstract

PURPOSE This study seeks to explore the subjectivity regarding leisure constraints perceived by college student-athletes.METHODS Based on Q methodology as an analysis framework, 25 Q-samples and 25 P-samples suitable for the research purpose were selected, and Q-classification and Q-factor analysis were conducted.RESULTS The leisure constraints were categorized into “Type Ⅰ: Psychological constraints,” “Type Ⅱ: Financial constraints,” and “Type Ⅲ: Spatio-temporal constraints.” The three types provided discussions on “strong athlete identity of student-athletes,” “role conflict between students and athletes,” “core competencies of student-athletes,” “current student-athlete support project,” and “school sports camp training.”CONCLUSIONS College student-athletes’ leisure constraints are closely related to strong athlete identity, anxiety about enjoying leisure, cost burden, and closedness of camp training, and each type provided new perspectives on discussions related to Korean student-athletes.