The impact of athletes’ self-identity on employment readiness: the mediating role of professional identity

Abstract

Introduction: Athletes’ self-identity and professional identity are crucial factors influencing their career development. Against the backdrop of China’s competitive sports system transformation, the employment preparation status of athletes requires urgent attention. This study aims to investigate the internal mechanisms among athletes’ self-identity, professional identity, and employment preparation adequacy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed, utilizing a combination of convenience sampling and snowball sampling to administer questionnaires to 160 active and retired athletes. The research instruments included the Self-Identity Scale, Athletes’ Professional Identity Scale, and Employment Preparation Adequacy Scale. Results: Structural equation modeling analysis revealed that: athletes’ self-identity significantly positively influences their employment preparation adequacy; athletes’ professional identity plays a partial mediating role between self-identity and employment preparation adequacy; Bootstrap testing showed that the mediation effect accounts for 18.84% of the total effect. Discussion: The study confirms that athletes’ self-identity not only directly affects employment preparation but also exerts indirect influence through professional identity. This provides a theoretical foundation and practical pathways for constructing athlete career support systems centered on the cultivation of psychological capital.