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Original Articles

As the Lights Fade: A Grounded Theory of Male Professional Athletes’ Decision-Making and Transition to Retirement

, &
Pages 495-512 | Received 21 Dec 2018, Accepted 29 May 2019, Published online: 21 Jun 2019
 

Abstract

Retirement can be particularly challenging for professional athletes, given their commitment and identification with their sport. The purpose of this study was to examine how American male professional athletes make the decision to retire and how that decision process affects transition in retirement. The researchers used constructivist grounded theory to analyze personal accounts from professional athletes who wrote about retirement, and a model on the decision-making and transition process of retirement was developed. The findings show that athletes struggle in retirement, but by relying on their social support, they can accept the conclusion of their career as a professional athlete.

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