Playing video games as a supplement to identity: Insights on former college athlete transitions.
Bowers, M. (2011). Playing video games as a supplement to identity: Insights on former college athlete transitions. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics, 4, 289–308.
Abstract
Traditionally, researchers of sport and physical activity have considered playing video game to be an obstacle toward optimal health and social outcomes for youth. This study, however, posits video game play not as antithetical to health and physical activity, but as a meaningful forum utilized by former intercollegiate athletes to maintain salient aspects of their sport identities. Through a grounded theory analysis of a sample of 13 former intercollegiate athletes, this study takes initial steps toward a nuanced understanding of the manner in which video games can assist intercollegiate athletes who are transitioning out of elite athletic competition. The findings of the study demonstrate the patterns in the social processes underlying video game play for the former athletes in this sample. Ultimately, it is determined that these former athletes play videos games as an outlet for competition, with competition functioning as a channel through which to connect on an interpersonal level with others, and in turn using the opportunity for interpersonal connection as a means through which to reinforce salient aspects of their sport identities.