| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to identify the sources of stress experienced by NCAA Division I female ice hockey players at one university. In-depth, open-ended interviews were carried out with six athletes. The data was inductively analyzed according to the guidelines set forth by Cote and colleagues (Cote et al., 1993; Cote et al., 1995). The results of the analysis identified three main categories of stress: (a) the educational demands included academic concerns and time concerns; (b) the hockey pressures included the advantages of playing Division I, hockey performance stressors, training concerns, and the transition to the NCAA; and (c) the relationship issues included family and significant-other relationships, "hockey family" relationships, and social concerns. The connection linking the categories centered on the time concerns and on achieving a successful balance among the educational, hockey, and social pressures. These findings are similar to stressors reported by researchers in a variety of sports.
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