Career Transition of Elite Athletes: Challenges of Adaptation to Post‐Athletic Life and Proposed Interventions for Sport Career Termination

Abstract

ABSTRACT This quantitative, descriptive, and survey‐based study investigated career transitions of 221 retired elite athletes in Turkey, focusing on emotional adjustment, coping strategies, and employment challenges. Financial and employment concerns were the main factors influencing retirement decisions. Most athletes moved into nonathletic careers, experiencing emotional difficulties like sadness and emptiness. Denial was a common coping response, while social interaction and distraction strategies improved adjustment. Skills gained from sport, such as self‐regulation, were vital for adapting to post‐sport careers. The findings highlight the importance of career counseling emphasizing pre‐retirement planning and employment support to aid athletes’ successful transitions after retirement.