The role of achievement goals and identity in academic performance and misconduct of college athletes: Considering sport-to-school spillover

This study examined the role of achievement goal orientations (academic mastery and performance, athletic task and ego) and identity (academic and athletic) in the academic performance and misconduct of Division I student-athletes (N = 1151). Results of the structural equation modeling showed that academic performance was predicted positively by academic performance goal and academic identity (both directly and indirectly through performance goal) and negatively by athletic identity. Academic misconduct was predicted negatively by both self-referenced goals (academic mastery and athletic task), but positively by athletic ego goal. A positive indirect relationship was found between academic identity and academic misconduct through academic mastery goal. Opposing indirect relationships were found between athletic identity and academic misconduct through task and ego goals, which canceled each other out. Taken together, findings highlight the importance of fostering strong academic identities and setting self-referenced goals in school and sport for the academic success of Division I student-athletes.

Making their way as academics: A qualitative study examining how nurse academics understand and (re)construct academic identity

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to explore the way in which nurse academics understand and (re)construct their academic identity.

DESIGN

An exploratory qualitative approach was adopted.

METHODS

Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 nurse academics who were employed in positions requiring both research and teaching in two New Zealand university nursing schools. Participants' demographic information and critical career incidents were also collected. Interview data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Nurse academics understand their academic identity as research-related, relational and dynamic. Although their academic identity can be in conflict with their clinical one, the former is (re)constructed as an extension of the latter. To navigate each university's multiple expectations of academics, nurse academics in this study strive to maintain their engagement with teaching, research and clinical practice, although in some cases, clinical practice is reconceptualised in relation to teaching and researching rather than direct contact with patients.

CONCLUSION

Academic identity development is fluid and interdependent on that of clinical identity in this young and vocationally-based discipline. There is an interrelated, dual process of identity (re)construction - while (re)constructing academic identity, nurse academics also reshape and redefine their clinical identity. The trajectory of their identity development challenges institutions to consider the needs of nurse academics (and others in similar disciplines) by recognising and supporting the maintenance of a form of clinical currency in order to strengthen the discipline within the academy.

A paradoxical academic life: What we can learn from having the 'end' in sight

The ending of a story provides clarity by framing separate encounters within an overall plot. It can intensify focus and feeling, as limited time creates a sense of preciousness. The end additionally calls for new beginnings, as places are vacated for other stories to be told. It is a generative space as new conversations can evolve. The 'end' of an academic story contains opportunities for beginnings and vibrant encounters, and academics may be able to explore the richness within an expansive and generative spaces by having the 'end in sight.'

Relationship of athletic and academic identity to concussion reporting intentions

BACKGROUND

Understanding concussed athletes' motivations for reporting concussion symptoms is important for health care professionals who are charged with the care, management, and prevention of future injury.

OBJECTIVES

To examine if athletic and academic identity predict concussion symptom reporting intentions above and beyond traditional socio-cognitive predictors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using self-report measures during the 2016 collegiate football season.

METHOD

In a sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I American football athletes (N = 205) we examined the relationship of athletic and academic identity with three indices of symptom reporting behavior: reporting during a game, reporting 24 h after a game, and reporting on behalf of a teammate. We used descriptive statistical analyses, correlations, and linear regression to examine hypotheses.

RESULTS

Controlling for traditional predictors, athletic identity was associated with a lower likelihood to report symptoms during a game (β = -0.22, t = -3.28, p < .001) or within 24 h (β = -0.28, t = -4.12, p < .001). Academic identity was positively associated with reporting intentions during a game (β = 0.12, t = 1.68, p < .05), 24 h later (β = 0.13, t = 1.85, p < .05), and on behalf of a teammate (β = 0.22, t = -3.36, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Athletic and academic identities offer additional insight into athletes' motivation for concussion symptom reporting intentions, above and beyond traditional socio-cognitive predictors. Discussion focuses on the benefit of incorporating these important self-identities into educational health interventions to improve their impact.

Development of an academic identity through PhD supervision-an issue for debate

This paper provides reflection on the journey of completing a PhD by using emergent themes that occurred in supervision sessions as recorded in a reflective journal. The paper highlights the need to reflect and accept decisions that can be challenging. The paper also indicates examples where past understandings are questioned and newer insights have to be explored. A conclusion related to accepting responsibility for what happens as a consequence of supervision sessions is debated. Finally a new insight into identity is arrived at.