Predictors of Pregnancy Disclosure in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Athletes

Abstract

Context Pregnant athletes cannot receive proper care if they choose to conceal their pregnancy. Unfortunately, many factors may lead an athlete to conceal. Whereas the extant qualitative literature suggests scholarship and sponsorship are prominent factors in the decision to disclose, this research is limited to elite athletes. Objective To quantitatively examine predictors of pregnancy disclosure beyond scholarship and sponsorship in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III college athletes. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Midwestern United States. Participants or Other Participants Athletes on Division III women’s sports teams (N = 127). Main Outcome Measure(s) Confidence in the athletic trainer (AT), perceived training and performance changes, athletic identity, and athletic identity during pregnancy. Two separate multiple regression analyses were conducted with the 4 predictors and 2 outcomes: likelihood to disclose and time to disclosure. Results Confidence in the AT and athletic identity during pregnancy were significant predictors in both models, whereas the variable of perceived training and performance changes was only significant in the likelihood to disclose model. Athletic identity was not a significant predictor in either model. Results suggest Division III athletes believe they would be more likely to disclose their pregnancy and may disclose sooner if they feel that their AT can properly manage their physical, emotional, and social wellness during the pregnancy. Additionally, disclosure is promoted if they believe they will still be viewed as athletes by themselves and the people around them. Conclusions These findings emphasize the importance of the role of the AT, with implications that formal education of ATs should include the holistic support of the pregnant athlete.