Jen Gerlach 1 CSI Grant Proposal Problem/Question: Collegiate student-athletes report lower levels of wellness than non-athletes (Watson

& Kissinger, (2007). In the aforementioned study, the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5FWel) was used to assess the wellness of student-athletes in five different dimensions: Creative Self, Coping Self, Social Self, Essential Self, and Physical Self. The results of the study support the implementation of the Indivisible Self: Evidence-Based Model of Wellness (IS-Wel) with student-athletes. However, according to the National Wellness Institute (n.d.), there are six dimensions of wellness: Social, Intellectual, Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Occupational. The biggest difference between these Watson & Kissingers (2007) definition of wellness and the National Wellness Institutes definition of wellness is the occupational dimension. Many male athletes in the four major American professional sports (basketball, baseball, football, and hockey) are ill-prepared to enter careers that are outside of the professional arena. If an athlete has no occupational or career identity outside of playing professionally, then what is he to do if a career-ending injury happens? There is no back-up plan for a career. Hence, the research question is: What type of wellness program can be developed to help foster the six dimensions of wellness, including occupational wellness, of college student-athletes? Essentially, can we implement or update a model similar to the IS-Wel that includes an occupational dimension?

Population/Recruitment: Division I male student-athletes at a major university will be recruited. These athletes from basketball, baseball, football, and hockey will be asked to participate in the 5F-Wel. In a second session, a tape recorded interview will be conducted with the participants. Interviews will be conducted as opposed to a self-report questionnaire because interviews can elicit more of a response. Male athletes from the previously mentioned sports are being recruited because those are four major American professional leagues for which most athletes aspire to participate.

Data needed to address problem: Results from the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel) Results from interview asking for feedback on types of support and services they need to augment wellness with particular emphasis on occupational wellness Sample questions for interview include: o When you were growing up, what were your career goals? o In regards to occupational wellness, do you feel you are supported in your career goals? o What are your career goals after college?

Jen Gerlach 2 o If you are seeking to play sports professionally, what would your career goals be should injury or an unforeseen circumstance happen to where you cannot compete professionally? Relevance to CSI This directly relates to CSI because it focuses on wellness. Research supports that little has been explored about college student-athletes and their wellness. Extant research shows that student-athletes report lower wellness than non-athletes. There is also a gap in the research concerning student-athletes and occupational wellness.

Expected Outcomes It is expected that the results of the wellness survey will be duplicated from the research from Watson and Kissinger (2007). It is expected that student-athletes will then report in the interview what kinds of support they need to increase their overall wellness.

Itemized Budget Paper for print materials (i.e., surveys) $45.99 for 5,000 sheets of paper Ink Pens $6.99 for 60 pens Fees for 5F-Wel $120.00 for 50 copies (smallest number I found) Stipend for people who transcribe interviews $10.00/hour x 50 hours = $500

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