올림픽 메달리스트들의 탈사회화와 재사회화에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenomenon on the Olympic medallists` desocialization and resocialization process. By using purposeful sampling, which was used in nonprobability sampling for qualitative studies, 2 males and 3 females were selected from six sporting events during the time period covering the 21st Olympic Games in Montreal through the 24th Olympic Games in Seoul. In this study, reasons for retirement and desocialization included a loss of goals, marriage, pressures of competition, converting to second careers, and giving way for a younger generation of athletes. Most athletes did not experience psychological complications after retirement from sports because they had been satisfied with their athletic careers. Social reactions were different according o the importance of each sporting activity but social responses did not vary by an individual athlete`s ability. This study indicated that athletes had plans for the future and post-retirement during the process of resocialization but many of them had not made preparations. However, they did not have difficulty selecting second careers after retirement. Meanwhile, athletes tried to select different occupations according to individual characteristics or the degree of adaptability. During the process of adapting and facing complications, selection of second careers went smoothly but athletes showed some confusion during the adaptation process. This study also showed that the factors influencing resocialization were athletes experiences and public exposure. These two factors provided both positive and negative aspects to all participants.