A1 Journal article (refereed)
Developmental Dynamics of School and Sport Burnout from Upper Secondary School to Early Adulthood among Student-Athletes (2025)


Heikura, E. E., Aunola, K., Tolvanen, A., Selänne, H., & Ryba, T. V. (2025). Developmental Dynamics of School and Sport Burnout from Upper Secondary School to Early Adulthood among Student-Athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 47(1), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2023-0131


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsHeikura, Enni E.; Aunola, Kaisa; Tolvanen, Asko; Selänne, Harri; Ryba, Tatiana V.

Journal or seriesJournal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

ISSN0895-2779

eISSN1543-2904

Publication year2025

Publication date02/01/2025

Volume47

Issue number1

Pages range33-46

PublisherHuman Kinetics

Publication countryUnited States

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2023-0131

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/99333


Abstract

Burnout is a significant concern for student-athletes, affecting both their academic and athletic performance. This study examined the developmental dynamics of school and sport burnout among Finnish student-athletes across upper secondary school and into early adulthood. Using a structural equation modeling (SEM) framework with the Cholesky decomposition method, we found that higher levels of school burnout at the beginning of upper secondary school predicted higher levels of sport burnout at later time points. School burnout in the final year of upper secondary school was found to predict higher sport burnout in early adulthood. Although no differences were observed in the development of burnout between sexes or sport types, females experienced consistently higher levels of sport burnout than males and individual sports athletes reported more burnout than those in team sports during their final year. Early interventions targeting school burnout are essential to reducing sport burnout in transitioning student-athletes.


Keywordsathletesgeneral upper secondary school studentsexhaustionprofessional sports careerschool attendancestudy

Free keywordssport burnout; school burnout; student-athletes; dual career; upper secondary school


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reportingYes

VIRTA submission year2025

Preliminary JUFO rating2


Last updated on 2025-03-02 at 17:42