Exploring relationships between identities, dual career competency, and burnout among young talented athletes

Abstract

Abstract This study examined (a) the relationships between school burnout and sport burnout among young talented athletes, (b) the effects of academic and athletic identities on both school and sport burnout, and (c) whether any effects were mediated or moderated by dual career (DC) competency. A total of 302 young talented athletes (Mage=14.86, SD = 2.18) completed the athletic and academic identity scale, school burnout inventory, sport burnout inventory-DC, and DC competency questionnaire for athletes, to assess the factors above. The results showed that school and sport burnout had high positive correlations. Academic identity had a negative direct effect on school burnout, and athletic identity negatively affected sport burnout. The relationships between academic and athletic identities and school and sport burnout were mediated by DC competency, with no moderating effect observed. These findings aid our understanding of the development of burnout and provide some inspiration for practitioners to prevent and decrease burnout from school and sports among young talented athletes.

Keywords

• Academic and athletic identity
• School and sport burnout
• Dual career competency
• Athletic talent development