The purpose of this study was to explore role strain among a population of women’s collegiate rugby studentathletes.
The stress experienced by these student-athletes for this research was defined through the insight and
application of Goode’s (1960) theory of role strain. This research considered role strain to have occurred when
student-athletes reported that they were unable to meet all of what was expected of them competing in women’s
rugby at the intercollegiate level. This research is important as a means for better understanding why some female
collegiate student-athletes experience discord between what they believe is expected of them and what they are
actually capable of doing, especially in terms of socially and psychologically navigating which aspects of their role are
most important (Goode, 1960).