Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

Physical Education

First Advisor

Lee Renfroe

Second Advisor

T. Scott Lyons

Third Advisor

Lauren Killen

Abstract

Background: Female student-athletes navigate unique psychosocial challenges balancing academics and athletics, yet limited research has explored the impact of university engagement on their social and emotional well-being. This study examines the impact of university engagement on sense of social fit (SSF), nonspecific psychological distress (NPD), and loneliness among Division I female student-athletes.

Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among female student-athletes (n = 111) from eight sports at a mid-sized NCAA Division I university in the Southern U.S. Participants completed validated measures using the SSF scale, UCLA Loneliness scale, and Kessler-6 Psychological Distress scale. An exploratory factor analysis was performed to assess the underlying structure of the items on the scales. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients and hierarchical regression analyses examined the relationships and predictive role of demographic factors and university engagement on psychosocial outcomes.

Results: University engagement significantly predicted SSF (β = 0.305; p < 0.001), particularly among lowerclassmen (β = 0.473; p < 0.001) and on-campus residents (β = 0.427; p < 0.001). However, engagement did not significantly predict loneliness or NPD. Upperclassmen’s SSF was more influenced by academic classification, while lowerclassmen benefited more from engagement.

Conclusion: Findings suggest university engagement enhances belonging but does not directly impact loneliness or NPD, indicating other unexamined factors play a role. Universities should foster engagement opportunities tailored to student-athletes’ schedules while prioritizing mental health interventions. Future research should explore sport-specific influences and longitudinal changes in psychosocial well-being.

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