Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Kinesiology (MKin)

Department

Kinesiology

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Dr. Jill Tracey

Advisor Role

Supervisor

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the psychological resilience process in student-athletes during the unique adverse context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sought to answer the following research questions guided by Fisher et al.’s (2019) heuristic framework: (1) What resilience mechanisms, (2) promoting factors, and (3) resilience outcomes were experienced by participants in their resilience demonstrations? and (4) How does the resilience process unfold over time across adverse contexts including the COVID-19 pandemic? Nine student-athletes from Wilfrid Laurier University were interviewed on their experiences demonstrating resilience within and outside of the pandemic. A thematic analysis (Braun et al., 2019) produced four themes and fifteen subthemes which encompassed the lived experiences of participants’ resilience demonstrations. The results revealed psychological resilience as a process of adaptation wherein self-regulatory mechanisms such as emotional management, cognitive reframing, adaptive coping, and reflection are demonstrated overtime in the face of dynamic adversity (A Complex Internal Process). Results highlighted resilience as being influenced by promoting factors, namely the social environment, in both a supportive, and developmental capacity (Social Influence). Findings further described how participants’ resilience demonstrations were influenced by “adversity triggers” such as the restrictive and erratic nature of the pandemic (All Aboard the COVIDCOASTER). Finally, results highlighted elements of both process and outcome functioning and temporal phenomena that may describe them (Benchmarks & By-products).

Convocation Year

2022

Convocation Season

Fall

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Available for download on Monday, August 04, 2025

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