Athletic Identity and Well-Being among Young Talented Athletes who Live at a Dutch Elite Sport Center

Abstract

Differences in athletic identity and well-being were examined between athletes living in a Dutch elite sport center (CTO) and athletes not living in such a center (age range: 16–30). Measures included the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS; Brewer & Cornelius, 2001), the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ; Raedeke & Smith, 2001). CTO athletes reported lower psychosocial well-being and a higher reduced sense of accomplishment, but showed no difference in athletic identity. Nor was strength of athletic identity associated with well-being as was hypothesized.