Career Transition of Elite Athletes: Challenges of Adaptation to Post-Athletic Life and Proposed Interventions for Sport Career Termination
Journal of Employment Counseling, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/joec.70023
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Employment Counseling
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), Psycinfo, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Social Science Premium Collection (ProQuest), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Education Collection (ProQuest), Education Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (EBSCO), Sociology Database (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: athletic retirement, career transition, coping strategies, employment counseling, post-sport career adaptation
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This quantitative, descriptive, and survey-based study investigated career transitions of 221 retired elite athletes in Turkey, focusing on emotional adjustment, coping strategies, and employment challenges. Financial and employment concerns were the main factors influencing retirement decisions. Most athletes moved into nonathletic careers, experiencing emotional difficulties like sadness and emptiness. Denial was a common coping response, while social interaction and distraction strategies improved adjustment. Skills gained from sport, such as self-regulation, were vital for adapting to post-sport careers. The findings highlight the importance of career counseling emphasizing pre-retirement planning and employment support to aid athletes’ successful transitions after retirement.