title: The experiences of female athletic trainers in the role of the head athletic trainer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Very few women have leadership positions in athletic training (ie, head athletic training positions) in intercollegiate athletics. Research exists on the barriers to attaining the role; however, our understanding about the experiences of those currently engaged in the role is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the experiences of female head athletic trainers as they worked toward and attained the position of head athletic trainer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight female athletic trainers serving in the role of head athletic trainer participated in our study. The mean age of the participants was 45 ± 12 years, with 5 ± 1.5 years of experience in the role of head athletic trainer and 21 ± 10 years of experience as athletic trainers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted phone interviews with the 8 participants following a semistructured format. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed following a general inductive approach as described by Thomas. To establish credibility, we used a peer reviewer, member checks, and multiple-analyst triangulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six major themes emerged from our analysis regarding the experiences of female head athletic trainers. Opportunities to become a head athletic trainer, leadership qualities, and unique personal characteristics were discussed as factors leading to the assumption of the role of the head athletic trainer. Where women hold back, family challenges, and organizational barriers speak to the potential obstacles to assuming the role of head athletic trainer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female head athletic trainers did not seek the role, but through persistence and encouragement, they find themselves assuming the role. Leadership skills were discussed as important for success in the role of head athletic trainer. Life balancing and parenting were identified as barriers to women seeking the role of head athletic trainer.
authors.affiliation: Athletic Training Program, Departments of.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mazerolle
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cotrufo
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007857:Leadership; D008875:Middle Aged; D016487:Parenting; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology
keywords: career advancement; gender; leadership; socialization