Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2026

Document Type

Oral Presentation/Poster

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Health Science

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Moses Ikiugu, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Keywords

occupational therapy, student-athletes, mental health, athletic identity, coping strategies

Subject Categories

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

This capstone project aimed to develop and implement a 9-week mental-health program for student-athletes at South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota. This project was guided by the Model of Human Occupation, Occupational Adaptation, and Lifestyle Redesign frameworks and emphasized client-centered and occupation-based approaches to mental health services in the athletic setting. A mixed-methods design was used to evaluate changes in occupational performance, role participation, athletic identity, and coping strategies. Quantitative data was collected at pre- and post-test using a vocational adaptation of the Occupational Self Assessment (OSA), the Role Checklist Version 2: Quality of Performance (RCV2:QP), the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), and the Brief Coping to Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE). OSA results showed improvements in self-perceived competence performing occupations related to vocational roles. RCV2:QP results indicated improvements or maintenance of roles outside athletics. AIMS results showed improvements in exclusivity and negative affectivity towards the athletic identity. Brief-COPE results indicated improvements in participants’ ability to use proactive coping strategies and a decreased reliance on avoidance mechanisms. Qualitative data was collected at post-test to evaluate the expectations and experiences of participants. Reports supported the quantitative data with participants describing improvements in role identification outside of athletic identity and improved ability using adaptive coping mechanisms. Limitations of this project include a small sample size and mental health sigma. Recommendations include continued, year-long programming and promoting mental health services for student-athletes. This project contributes to literature supporting occupational therapy’s role in providing occupation-based mental health services in collegiate athletics.

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