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Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

Events and Tourism Review                                     
 
December 2022                                                                                                                                          Volume 5 No. 2      
   
 
Investigating Collegiate Athletes’ Wellbeing During the Travel Season 

 

 
Lauren C. Palmer 
 
Mona Mirehie 
 
Indiana University- Purdue University Indianapolis 
Correspondence: mmirehie@iu.edu (M. Mirehie) 

 

 
 
 
 
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Recommended Citation 
Palmer, L. C. & Mirehie, M. (2022). Investigating Collegiate Athletes’ Wellbeing During the 
Travel Season. Events and Tourism Review, 5(2), 52-57.  

 
 

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Palmer, L. C. & Mirehie, M. (2022) / Events and Tourism Review, 5(2), 52-57. 
53 

Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

 

 
 

 
 

Abstract 
 
The purpose of this study was to explore collegiate athletes’ sense of wellbeing during the travel 
season. A qualitative approach was adapted which was founded on the principles of positive 
psychology. Data were collected utilizing in-depth semi-structured interviews with student athletes 
via phone or video calls. Participants were recruited through purposive and convenient sampling. To 
analyze data, thematic content analysis was conducted, and subjective wellbeing theory (Diener, 
1984) was used as a guide for data analysis. Interviewees reported that during the competition trips 
they experience positive emotions such as fun, excitement, and happiness; as well as negative 
emotions such as stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Incorporating tourist activities into teams’ travel 
itineraries and giving the athletes a voice in the travel decision making were found to be effective in 
enhancing athletes’ wellbeing. 
 

Keywords: Sport Event Travel; Collegiate Athletes; Wellbeing; Positive Psychology 
 

 
 

Introduction 
 

Collegiate student athletes are usually at high risk of mental issues such as anger, anxiety, 
distress or depression (Kimball & Freysinger, 2003) likely due to difficulties of transitioning from 
high school to higher education (Pritchard, Wilson, & Yamnitz, 2004) as well as pressures 
associated with fulfilling their academic and athletic responsibilities (Papanikolaou, Nikolaidis, 
Patsiaouras, & Alexopoulos, 2003). Factors such as possible loss of the high school star-athlete 
status, interpersonal conflict, injuries, time pressure, missing classes because of athletic trips and the 
need to make up the missed work negatively impact student athletes’ wellbeing (Humphrey, Yow, & 
Bowden, 2000). Difficulty in establishing positive relationships with family (Wilson & Pritchard, 
2005), other students, coaches, and teachers have been particularly highlighted as an additional 
stressor (Humphrey et al., 2000; Papanikolaou et al., 2003). Athletes also reported suffering from 
physical health issues such as tension, fatigue, lack of sleep, digestive issues, and headache 
(Humphrey et al., 2000) which could be other manifestations of poor mental health.  

Although previous studies on this topic provide valuable insights into sources of stress (e.g., 
Wilson & Pritchard, 2005), and possible curing or coping strategies (e.g., Pinkerton, Hinz, & 
Barrow, 1989), maintaining athletes’ mental health and preventing the disorders/illnesses from 
happening has received limited attention so far. Prevention of mental issues by fostering positivity 
and helping individuals to flourish (Seligman, 2002) is the focus of positive psychology which is 
centered on meaningful subjective experiences (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000). Accordingly, 
wellbeing is not only the absence of illness but involves the presence of positive emotions, positive 
relationships, and a sense of accomplishment (Seligman, 2002). The positivity is determined 
through individuals’ subjective assessment of their experiences. Diener (1984) postulated that 
wellbeing is comprised of individuals’ cognitive and affective subjective judgements of different 
aspects of their life. In other words, subjective wellbeing is a state of overall contentment with life 
where positive emotions outweigh the negatives.  

 So far, a positive psychological approach in assessing student athletes’ wellbeing in relation 

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Palmer, L. C. & Mirehie, M. (2022) / Events and Tourism Review, 5(2), 52-57. 
54 

Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

 

to team’s travel experiences has received little attention from scholars. To address this gap, this 
study explored collegiate athletes’ wellbeing through a positive psychology lens. Findings have 
implications for designing preventative interventions that help protect collegiate athletes from 
mental disorders and maintain their wellbeing throughout the travel/competition season when they 
perform under high pressure and experience heightened levels of stress.  
 
Literature Review 
 

A predominant theme in previous studies on student athletes’ mental health has been 
exploring mental issues such as anxiety, depression, distress, and anger followed by 
recommendations for possible healing strategies (e.g., Kimball & Freysinger, 2003; Pinkerton, Hinz, 
& Barrow, 1989). For example, Pinkerton et al. (1989) found that student athletes were more likely 
to struggle with issues related to fear of failure, identity conflict, social isolation, poor athletic 
performance, academic and career problems, physiological burnout, eating disorder, alcohol and 
drug abuse, and injuries compared to non-athletes. However, they underutilize counseling and 
mental health services (Pinkerton et al., 1989). The authors concluded that early and positive 
therapeutic relationships are imperative in helping collegiate athletes’ well-being. Similarly, 
Kimball and Freysinger (2003) stated that participation in collegiate sports both buffers and 
generates stress for athletes. Likewise, Wilson and Pritchard (2005) compared stress levels of 
collegiate athletes with other college students (i.e., non-athlete). Student athletes were found to be 
more stressed out than non-athletes because they generally had more responsibilities and were not 
able to get enough sleep. The authors highlighted the need for actions that could improve student 
athletes’ relationships with other students (Wilson & Pritchard, 2005). Hoffman and Miller (2009) 
explored the complex relationship between collegiate athletes’ sport-related identities and mental 
health. The authors found two different identities: jock identity and athlete identity. Jock identity 
referred to ego-oriented athletes while student athlete identity referred to overachieving, and 
disciplined athletes. The jock identity student athletes had higher rates of suicide and depression 
(Hoffman & Miller, 2009).  In the same vein, Denny (2009) investigated how various internal and 
external factors affect student athletes as they manage their collegiate career full of stress, strains, 
and exceptional demands. Internal factors are a person’s experiences and personality (mindfulness 
and self-esteem). External factors relate to the environment in which personality and experience are 
applied (playing time and scholarship). Findings revealed that internal factors contributed to 
student-athletes’ happiness more than external factors.  

Later, Lu & Hsu (2013) examined how hope and social support is linked to predicting 
postinjury rehabilitation beliefs, behaviors, and wellbeing among injured Taiwanese collegiate 
student athletes. The authors concluded that many injured athletes either suspend their participation 
in the sport or permanently leave the sport, hence, taking action to prevent athletic injuries was 
necessary. Particularly, hope and social support were found to be beneficial to sport injury 
rehabilitation and athlete wellbeing (Lu & Hsu, 2013). Similarly, the impact of injury on athletes’ 
wellbeing was evident in Kerr, DeFreese, and Marshall’s (2014) study of former collegiate athletes’ 
current physical and mental health. Interestingly, former collegiate athletes physical and mental 
health was found to be similar to the general US population, with the exception of those who 
previously sustained injures, concussions and/or career ending injuries. Using NCAA Memorial 
Resolutions list and NCAA demographic data, Rao, Drezner, Toresdahl, and Harmon (2015) 
examined the rate of suicide within the NCAA over a 9-year period. They found that the suicide rate 
was lower in NCAA athletes compared to the general and collegiate population of similar age group. 

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Palmer, L. C. & Mirehie, M. (2022) / Events and Tourism Review, 5(2), 52-57. 
55 

Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

 

Furthermore, the suicide rate was found to be higher among male athletes compared to female 
athletes, with football players being at the greatest risk. More recently, Jeon, Lee, Kwon (2016) 
investigated the relationship between self-compassion, social support, and well-being among South 
Korean student athletes. Athletes with more self-compassion experienced more positive emotions 
every day, felt more fellowship with others, and in general were more satisfied with life. Also, 
student-athletes with higher perceived social support had fewer symptoms of depression. The results 
showed a positive relationship between self-compassion, social support, and student athletes’ 
wellbeing (Jeon et al., 2016). 

To sum up briefly, previous studies provided valuable contributions to identifying mental 
issues among collegiate athletes and recommending potential coping strategies. Nevertheless, a 
focus on positive psychology and athletes’ subjective assessment of their own well-being has 
received little attention so far.  
 
Research Methodology  

 
Given the scarcity of research on this topic, a qualitative approach was adopted. In-depth 

semi-structured interviews were conducted with collegiate athletes (N = 5) via phone or video calls. 
Interviewees were recruited using purposive and convenient sampling in a mid-western public 
university in the U.S. Interviewees were asked to reflect on their emotional state throughout the 
competition season, their competition trip experiences, positive and negative emotions that they 
experience throughout the competition season, and their overall assessment of their wellbeing. An 
interview guide was used to direct the conversations, interviews were recorded and transcribed for 
the analysis.  

Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants’ narratives were coded 
inductively, however, a positive psychology lens was applied to guide the analysis. Codes were 
categorized into themes and subthemes based on the frequency (i.e., the number of times something 
was said).  
 
Findings 
 

Interviewees reported that they experience a range of positive and negative emotions during 
the competition season and particularly while they are traveling for competition. Stress, anxiety, and 
exhaustion were the most frequently mentioned negative emotions. Such negative emotions 
appeared to be closely linked to, a) within group conflict/drama, b) feelings of not having a voice in 
team’s travel plan/activities. Nevertheless, it appeared that support from teammates, as well as 
communication and conflict resolution by the team leaders can decrease or even eliminate the 
negative emotions.   

On the other hand, interviewees explained that they experienced a range of positive emotions 
during the season and while on a competition trip. Fun, happiness, and excitement were the most 
commonly reported positive emotions. It appeared that positive emotions were highly related to 
positive relationships with teammates who “often help with stress management.” Furthermore, the 
athletes noted that including some tourist activities in team’s travel itineraries, particularly the 
longer trips, can enhance their experiences and overall wellbeing during the season. They further 
mentioned that they would like to have a voice in decisions about the team’s tourist activities.  
 
 

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Palmer, L. C. & Mirehie, M. (2022) / Events and Tourism Review, 5(2), 52-57. 
56 

Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

 

Discussion and Conclusion 
 

This study examined collegiate athletes’ sense of wellbeing during the travel season. 
Findings supported previous research findings regarding high level of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion 
during the season (e.g., Kimball & Freysinger, 2003; Pinkerton et al., 1989) that negatively impact 
athletes’ wellbeing. This research contributed to the body of knowledge by revealing athletes’ 
experiences of positive emotions that are mostly generated through positive relationships with 
teammates and coaches. Additionally, athletes’ wish for having a voice in decisions about team’s 
travel itineraries was a novel finding of this study.  

Findings provide some guidelines for enhancing collegiate athletes’ wellbeing during the 
travel season. Incorporating touristic activities into teams’ travel itineraries to get the athletes 
outside of the stressful high-pressure environment and creating opportunities for recovery, 
enhancing positive emotions, and positive relationships could be a viable strategy. Given that 
exhaustion during the season has been noted by athletes numerous times across different studies, 
athletes will likely benefit the most from activities that require minimal mental and physical effort 
from them. Although this study was focused on enhancing wellbeing of collegiate athletes, findings 
apply to all parties involved in team’s travel such as coaches and medical staff. Replicating the 
study at different higher education institutions and/or with professional athletes as well as using 
quantitative methods to test the findings at a large scale can be possible directions for future 
research.  

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personality and social psychology, 47(5), 1105. 
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Comparative Study of Player and Non-Player Students in Relation to Mental Health–
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Jeon, H., Lee, K., & Kwon, S. (2016). Investigation of the structural relationships between social 
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Events and Tourism Review Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022), 52-57, DOI: 10.18060/26915                                                                                                  
               Copyright © 2022 Lauren C. Palmer and Mona Mirehie 

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

 

 

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	Abstract

