2026-10-10T22:54:48Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/32641545 2026-10-01T16:22:27Z portal_1172 item_type_8 month_year_10_2026

Investigating athletic identity, help-seeking, and psychological well-being of Gaelic games players: a social identity mapping study Eoin Walshe (13229094) PUREID: 649382457 Social identity mapping athletic identity psychological wellbeing help-seeking Gaelic games <br>Introduction: There are indications that athletes experience poor psychological wellbeing at a comparable and potentially higher rate than the general population. Research suggests that social identity can play a critical role in psychological wellbeing, particularly among those who develop identities that are highly connected to their role as an athlete. Gaelic games play a unique, intrinsic role in Irish society and are closely linked to social identity. <br><br>Aim: The aim of the current study is to examine the relationship between social identity, athletic identity, help-seeking, and psychological wellbeing in a population of Gaelic games players.<br><br>Methods: The study utilised a cross-sectional survey design incorporating Online Social Identity Mapping, The General Help-seeking Questionnaire, The Mental Health Continuum Short Form, and The Four Item Scale of Social Identification. Parametric and non-parametric correlations were conducted alongside a hierarchical regression. Participants (N=296) were active Gaelic games players across Ireland and the UK. <br><br>Results: Due to partial completion of survey information, a limited number of participants contributed to the main analysis (N=59). Predicted Mean Matching was utilised to account for missing data. Contrary to the proposed hypothesis, no significant relationship was found between social identity variables and psychological wellbeing. Help-seeking attitude was significantly associated with psychological wellbeing. <br><br>Discussion: The results highlight the need to normalise and prioritise help-seeking within sporting communities to reduce the stigma around seeking help for psychological wellbeing. Directions for future research such as larger sample size and in person testing are also discussed. <br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2027.</i> 2026-10-01T16:22:27Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32641545.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Investigating_athletic_identity_help-seeking_and_psychological_well-being_of_Gaelic_games_players_a_social_identity_mapping_study/32641545 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2027-12-31