Article
Purpose of the study was to identify psychological and social resources ensuring successful dual career development in athletes combining sports and academic activities.
Methods and organization of the study. The study involved 60 athletes aged 12 to 25 years divided into three age- and qualification-based groups. Data collection was conducted online in November 2025. The following methods were used: an author-designed questionnaire aimed at assessing athletes’ perception of dual career; the Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment Tool (OMSAT); the PERMA-Profiler well-being questionnaire; the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-II); and the Scale of Academic Motivation (SHAMS). Statistical data analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test.
Results and discussion. The findings showed that increases in age and sports experience were associated with higher levels of subjective well-being, intrinsic motivation, and mental skills development. Adolescence was identified as the most challenging stage of dual career development due to increased academic demands, emotional tension, and the need for independent time management. Most athletes perceived sports participation as a factor contributing to the development of self-discipline, responsibility, stress resistance, and self-organization skills. The study revealed a gradual shift from external sources of support (parents, coach) to internal psychological resources, including self-regulation, self-control, and autonomous motivation. Intergroup analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences between age-qualification groups across most of the studied indicators (p < 0.05).
Conclusion. Successful dual career development in athletes is determined by a combination of psychological and social resources, including subjective well-being, intrinsic motivation, developed mental skills, and social support. An athlete diary is proposed as a practical tool aimed at improving self-regulation and optimizing workload management.
Bochaver, K. A. Mental skills as a resource for athletes’ professional longevity / K. A. Bochaver, L. M. Dovzhik, D. V. Bondarev, A. O. Savinkina // Experimental Psychology. – 2021. – Vol. 14, No. 4. – P. 58-75. – DOI 10.17759/exppsy.2021140403.
Bochaver, K. A. Psychological diagnostics in sports: textbook / K. A. Bochaver, D. V. Bondarev, L. M. Dovzhik. – Moscow: Sport-Chelovek, 2023. – 232 p.
Bykov, E. V. Correction of psychophysiological functional states of student-athletes under dual career conditions / E. V. Bykov, O. A. Makunina, I. F. Kharina // Scientific Sports Journal. – 2024. – Vol. 2, No. 3. – P. 97-111.
Gordeeva, T. O. Scales of intrinsic and extrinsic academic motivation of school students / T. O. Gordeeva, O. A. Sychev // Psychological Science and Education. – 2017. – Vol. 22, No. 2. – P. 65-74. – DOI 10.17759/pse.2017220206.
Gorskaya, G. B. Psychological resources of responsibility acceptance in adolescent athletes / G. B. Gorskaya, I. M. Dementyeva // Bulletin of Tver State University. Series: Pedagogy and Psychology. – 2023. – No. 4 (65). – P. 14-25. – DOI 10.26456/vtpsyped/2023.4.014.
Gorskaya, G. B. Self-esteem and achievement motivation as a resource for athletes’ adaptation / G. B. Gorskaya, V. A. Maslennikova // Topical Issues of Physical Culture and Sports. – 2020. – Vol. 22. – P. 109-117.
Ermak, V. V. Features of personal and professional identity formation under dual career conditions in athletes / V. V. Ermak, G. B. Gorskaya // Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Conference of Postgraduate Students and Applicants of Kuban State University of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism. – 2022. – No. 1. – P. 120-124.
Isaeva, O. M. PERMA-Profiler well-being questionnaire: validation of the Russian version / O. M. Isaeva, A. Yu. Akimova, E. N. Volkova // Social Psychology and Society. – 2022. – Vol. 13, No. 3. – P. 116-133. – DOI 10.17759/sps.2022130308.
Makunina, O. A. Psychophysiological characteristics of student-athletes under dual career conditions / O. A. Makunina, I. F. Kharina // Psychology. Psychophysiology. – 2022. – Vol. 15, No. 4. – P. 94-105. – DOI 10.14529/jpps220409.
Plashchevaya, E. V. Dual career of athletes: parents’ opinion / E. V. Plashchevaya, S. Yu. Lanina, S. A. Lushkina // Scientific Notes of P.F. Lesgaft University. – 2023. – No. 12 (226). – P. 146-153.
Pokaninov, V. B. Academic trajectory of student-athletes in the implementation of dual career in Russia and foreign countries / V. B. Pokaninov, L. A. Konovalova // Scientific Notes of P.F. Lesgaft University. – 2023. – No. 9 (223). – P. 346-349. – DOI 10.34835/issn.2308-1961.2023.09.p346-350.
Khvatskaya, E. E. Internal and external resources for dual career implementation among students of a specialized university / E. E. Khvatskaya, O. I. Yuzova // Scientific and Pedagogical Schools of the University. – 2020. – No. 5. – P. 32-52.
