Author ORCID Identifier:
Date of Graduation
5-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Counseling (MS)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
Advisor/Mentor
Lundeen, Lindsay
Committee Member
Bader, Christopher
Second Committee Member
Christian, David
Third Committee Member
Popejoy, Erin
Fourth Committee Member
Higgins, Kristin
Keywords
athletes; college students; mental health; self-directed violence; self-harm
Abstract
Self-directed violence (SDV) in athletes comprises a spectrum of behaviors, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidality, and self-harming behaviors that can be embed- ded within sport contexts. Competitive sport environments may intensify psychological vulnerability through factors such as performance demands, body-image pressures, injury and rehabilitation stress, and norms that discourage help-seeking. This thesis synthesizes existing literature on SDV among athletes with the aim of clarifying how SDV is concep- tualized and measured, summarizing what is known about prevalence patterns, functions, and contextual risk factors, and identifying prevention and intervention strategies relevant to athlete systems. The reviewed evidence suggests the SDV literature in athletes remains fragmented by inconsistent definitions and measurement approaches, with many studies relying on cross-sectional self-report designs that may underestimate prevalence due to stigma and disclosure concerns. Overall, the synthesis underscores the need for more integrated models that capture overlap across SDV presentations in sport, improved methodological rigor, and multi-level prevention approaches that strengthen identification, support, and safeguarding within athletic settings.
Citation
Vavrinova, A. (2026). Self-Directed Violence in Athletes. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/6236
