Differences In Socioeconomic Status Based On Race And Ethnicity Among Collegiate Student-athletes

Abstract

Income inequalities may directly influence sport accessibility and participation rates. However, there is a dearth of research investigating socioeconomic status differences among race and ethnicity in collegiate student-athletes. PURPOSE: To examine differences in socioeconomic status across race and ethnicities among college student-athletes enrolled in the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium study. METHODS: Collegiate student-athletes were recruited from 30 participating sites of the CARE Consortium (N = 17,956) between 2014-2020. Following enrollment, participants completed the Hollingshead Four Factor Index of Socioeconomic Status survey by self-reporting their parent/guardian highest education level(s), median household income, and marital and employment statuses. Income categories were stratified by $60,000 increments, ranging from <$60,000 to >$300,000. Descriptive statistics were calculated for median household income categories based on race (White, Black/African American, Asian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Multiple Races) and ethnicity (Hispanic and/or Latinx or non-Hispanic and/or Latinx). Chi-square tests were used to determine statistical significance (P < .001) between variables. RESULTS: The statistical analyses indicated a significant relationship between income categories by race (χ2 = 1742.0, df = 16, P < .001) and ethnicity (χ2 = 1337.8, df = 4, P < .001). The majority of White (56.9%) and Asian (54.4%) student-athletes reported an average median household income >$120,000, as compared to 26.5% of Black/African American and 24.4% of Hawaiian/Pacific Islander student-athletes. When stratified by ethnicity, 28.1% of student-athletes who identified as Hispanic and/or Latinx reported a median household income <$60,000, in contrast to 14.1% of student-athletes who identifed as non-Hispanic and/or Latinx. CONCLUSIONS: Sport accessibility is influenced by socioenvironmental factors such as social class and family resources. This investigation revealed noteworthy relationships between income inequalities on the basis of race and ethnicity among a large cohort of college student-athletes. Despite these findings, how these trends influence sport accessibility has yet to be investigated at the university level.