title: Motherhood and work-life balance in the national collegiate athletic association division I setting: mentors and the female athletic trainer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the greatest catalysts for turnover among female athletic trainers (ATs) is motherhood, especially if employed at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I level. The medical education literature regularly identifies the importance of role models in professional character formation. However, few researchers have examined the responsibility of mentorship and professional role models as it relates to female ATs' perceptions of motherhood and retention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate perceptions of motherhood and retention in relation to mentorship and role models among female ATs currently employed in the collegiate setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female athletic trainers working in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven female ATs employed in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I setting volunteered. Average age of the participants was 35 ± 9 years. All were full-time ATs with an average of 11 ± 8 years of clinical experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants responded to questions by journaling their thoughts and experiences. Multiple-analyst triangulation and peer review were included as steps to establish data credibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male and female role models and mentors can positively or negatively influence the career and work-life balance perceptions of female ATs working in the Division I setting. Female ATs have a desire to see more women in the profession handle the demands of motherhood and the demands of their clinical setting. Women who have had female mentors are more positive about the prospect of balancing the rigors of motherhood and job demands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Role models and mentors are valuable resources for promoting perseverance in the profession in the highly demanding clinical settings. As more female ATs remain in the profession who are able to maintain work-life balance and are available to serve as role models, the attitudes of other women may start to change.
authors: University of Connecticut, Storrs.
authors: Christianne M
authors: CM
authors: Eason
authors: Stephanie M
authors: SM
authors: Mazerolle
authors: Ashley
authors: A
authors: Goodman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D008611:Mentors; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: quality of life; retention; role models