Att balansera två världar : En kvalitativ studie om elitidrottares dubbla karriärer inom idrott och arbete

This study examined how elite athletes balance their dual careers and manage thedemands placed on them in sports and work. The study is based on a qualitative method,with data collected through semi structured interviews to gain an in depth understandingof the participants experiences. The study included eight participants, five men andthree women. The ages ranged from 21–26 years (M=23,5). All participants wererecruited through convenience sampling and snowball sampling. The inclusion criteriarequired participants to be active in a dual career, have a minimum of two years ofexperience from combining sports and work, and compete at the elite level. Thecollected data was analyzed using thematic analysis and Lazarus and Folkmans (1984)transactional model of stress and coping served as the theoretical framework. Theresults highlighted clear challanges and opportunities in dual careers. The mainchallanges included financial insecurity and lack of time. The opportunities howeverwere financial stability and personal development. The study found that social supportplays a crucial part in managing the demands of a dual career. Social support mainlyhelps athletes handle psychological stresses. Flexible working conditions were alsonoted as a significant factor in managing the demands of dual careers in sports andwork. Future research should focus on the differences between individual athletes andteam athletes as well as between men and women.