体育心理学（奇数演題）／ポスター発表

[03心-ポ-01] From athletic identity to employability: A qualitative study of career transition and competency translation in retired athletesFrom athletic identity to employability

*Lung Hung Chen¹ (1. National Taiwan Sport University)

Athletes often encounter career transition difficulties after retirement. The core issue lies not in a lack of ability, but in the absence of effective mechanisms to identify and translate tacit competencies developed within sport contexts, limiting their alignment with general labor market demands. This study examines the career transition process of retired athletes, with a focus on competency translation, identity reconstruction, and the responsiveness of career development programs. A qualitative research design was adopted. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. In the first year, three key participants (including a program designer and retired athletes) were interviewed. Cross-case comparisons were conducted to examine transition challenges, competency transfer experiences, identity changes, and program participation experiences. Findings indicate that the primary challenge lies in the disruption of life direction and structure following exit from the sport system. Although athletes possess highly transferable competencies such as resilience and execution ability, these often remain “usable but invisible” in the workplace. Identity transition is not a simple detachment from the athlete role, but a process of reinterpreting past experiences as resources for future action. In addition, support systems and “scaffolding” structures provided by development programs facilitate exploration and adaptation under conditions of uncertainty. However, a mismatch persists between action-oriented program design and the psychological recovery pace required during early transition. This study suggests that athlete career transition should be conceptualized as a holistic process of life reconstruction, in which competency translation, identity reconstruction, and support systems interact dynamically. Beyond enhancing competency translation, career development programs should incorporate psychological transitional support to better address early-stage disorientation. The findings provide empirical insights into athlete career development and program design, with important implications for policy and practice.