The Use of Role Theory and Method to Support Expanding College Athletes Role Repertoire: A Literature Review

Author

Danielle Gervais, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-22-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Dr. Laura L. Wood

Abstract

College student athletes tend to prioritize the role of athlete versus the role of student due to positive early life responses to their athletic pursuits (Menke & Germany, 2019). When the collegiate athlete then retires and/or graduates, they are at an increased likelihood of suffering negative psychological symptoms and/or an identity crisis now that the role of athlete is no longer relevant to their identity. Drama therapy’s role theory and method, an embodied form of therapy that focuses on identity formation and development in a less verbal and more expressive way, could potentially be used as a preventative treatment in preparing for these transitional periods (Ramsden & Landy, 2021). This literature review will explore how one’s athletic identity is developed from childhood through their college career and the drama therapy theory and techniques of role theory, role method and role play. The intention of this thesis is to emphasize a need for psychological intervention with this population and to suggest further research on integrating role theory and role method within this intervention.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Gervais, Danielle, "The Use of Role Theory and Method to Support Expanding College Athletes Role Repertoire: A Literature Review" (2021). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 408.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/408