The professional socialization of collegiate female athletic trainers: navigating experiences of gender bias. 2012

Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
Neag School of Education, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, 2095 Hillside Road, U-1110, Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA. stephanie.mazerolle@uconn.edu

BACKGROUND Female athletic trainers (ATs) experience gender discrimination in the workplace due to stereotypical gender roles, but limited information is available regarding the topic. OBJECTIVE To understand the challenges and obstacles faced by young female ATs working in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics. METHODS Exploratory study using semistructured interviews. METHODS Division I clinical setting. METHODS A total of 14 female ATs were included in the study, using both criterion and snowball-sampling techniques. Their mean age was 27 ± 2 years, with 5 ± 2 years of overall clinical experience. Criteria included employment at the Division I clinical setting, being a full-time assistant AT, and at least 3 years of working experience but no more than 9 years to avoid role continuance. METHODS Analysis of the interview data followed inductive procedures as outlined by a grounded theory approach. Credibility was established by member checks, multiple-analyst triangulation, and peer review. RESULTS Clear communication with both coaches and players about expectations and philosophies regarding medical care, a supportive head AT in terms of clinical competence, and having and serving as a role model were cited as critical tools to alleviate gender bias in the workplace. CONCLUSIONS The female ATs in this study stressed the importance of being assertive with coaches early in the season with regard to the AT's role on the team. They reasoned that these actions brought forth a greater perception of congruity between their roles as ATs and their gender and age. We suggest that female athletic training students seek mentors in their field while they complete their coursework and practicums. The ATs in the current study indicated that a mentor, regardless of sex, helped them feel empowered to navigate the male-centric terrain of athletic departments by encouraging them to be assertive and not second-guess their decisions.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010806 Physical Education and Training Instructional programs in the care and development of the body, often in schools. The concept does not include prescribed exercises, which is EXERCISE THERAPY. Education, Physical,Physical Education,Physical Education, Training
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D002322 Career Mobility The upward or downward mobility in an occupation or the change from one occupation to another. Career Ladders,Clinical Ladders,Job Ladders,Clinical Ladder,Ladder, Clinical,Ladders, Clinical,Career Ladder,Career Mobilities,Job Ladder,Ladder, Career,Ladder, Job,Ladders, Career,Ladders, Job,Mobilities, Career,Mobility, Career
D003625 Data Collection Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, including questionnaires, interviews, observation, existing records, and electronic devices. The process is usually preliminary to statistical analysis of the data. Data Collection Methods,Dual Data Collection,Collection Method, Data,Collection Methods, Data,Collection, Data,Collection, Dual Data,Data Collection Method,Method, Data Collection,Methods, Data Collection
D004651 Employment The state of being engaged in an activity or service for wages or salary. Employment Termination,Employment Status,Labor Force,Occupational Status,Status, Occupational,Underemployment,Labor Forces,Status, Employment,Termination, Employment
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001290 Attitude An enduring, learned predisposition to behave in a consistent way toward a given class of objects, or a persistent mental and/or neural state of readiness to react to a certain class of objects, not as they are but as they are conceived to be. Sentiment,Attitudes,Opinions,Opinion,Sentiments
D012929 Psychological Distance The degree of a person's detachment from emotional involvement with people or situations.(APA Thesaurus of Psychological Index Terms accessed 12/29/2020) Distance, Psychological,Psychological Distances

Related Publications

Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
March 2015, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
March 2002, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
October 2016, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
May 2015, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
May 2015, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
January 2008, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
January 2014, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
April 2020, Journal of athletic training,
Stephanie M Mazerolle, and John F Borland, and Laura J Burton
March 2004, Journal of athletic training,
Copied contents to your clipboard!