Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to gain insight into athletes' perceptions of role acceptance. Guided by the basic tenets of descriptive phenomenology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 male (n = 8) and female (n = 7) intercollegiate athletes from a variety of interdependent sport teams. The interviews were subsequently transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes. An additional four athletes were recruited for the purpose of verification interviews. Clear trends regarding role acceptance emerged. In terms of defining role acceptance, participants described the concept as an athlete's willingness to fulfill the role responsibilities expected of him or her. Athletes also suggested role acceptance was influenced by perceptions of leadership, team cohesion, intra-team communication, and other role related perceptions. The consequences of role acceptance were perceived in light of the group's environment (e.g., performance, normative behavior, interpersonal conflict) and in relation to the individual (e.g., emotional state, attrition/retention). The present findings elucidated the practical applicability of fostering role acceptance in interdependent sport teams as related to individual and team success. Further, theoretical implications pertaining to the distinctiveness of role acceptance from other related role concepts will be discussed.Acknowledgments: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Joseph-Armand Bombardier MasterÔÇÖs Graduate Scholarship