Shahid Beheshti University Sports Psychology 2676-3729 17 2 2025 12 23 Career transition from Junior to Senior in Elite Athletics: A Grounded Theory study Career transition from Junior to Senior in Elite Athletics: A Grounded Theory study 40 74 104698 10.48308/mbsp.2023.231345.1203 FA Saber Mehri PhD Candidate in Sports Psychology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Sports Sciences, Research Institute Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Shahbazi Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Keyvan Salehi Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran 0000-0001-8673-4248 Mohammad Khabiri Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. and Department of Kinesiology, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA Journal Article 2023 04 26 The purpose of this study was to explain the Career transition from junior to senior in elite athletics in order to reveal the transition process and present it in the form of an intermediate theory.<br />After studying and implementing the interviews, the resulting data were analyzed using MaxQuda software. The results and codes obtained in this study at three descriptive, interpretive and explanatory levels were based on the Career transition experiences of junior to senior athletes aged 18 to 22 who had national experience in age groups.<br />According to the paradigm model, categories include causal condition (perception of transition, psychological factors, personal growth factors), contextual conditions (function development factors, sources of support, , sources of stress, external motivation provided), phenomenon factor (metacognition centered Agency) intervening condition (cultural and communication factors), action and interaction strategy (macro-level management programs, educational programs, role modeling, coping strategies) and consequences from the main research category (mental health and well-being, excellent sports performance at the adult level, secondary profession) were extracted.<br />Data analysis adds precision to the current understanding of the Career transition from Junior to Senior in Elite Athletics, providing both researchers and practitioners with a detailed understanding of the process. This knowledge can be used to support the work of researchers and practitioners. The purpose of this study was to explain the Career transition from junior to senior in elite athletics in order to reveal the transition process and present it in the form of an intermediate theory.<br />After studying and implementing the interviews, the resulting data were analyzed using MaxQuda software. The results and codes obtained in this study at three descriptive, interpretive and explanatory levels were based on the Career transition experiences of junior to senior athletes aged 18 to 22 who had national experience in age groups.<br />According to the paradigm model, categories include causal condition (perception of transition, psychological factors, personal growth factors), contextual conditions (function development factors, sources of support, , sources of stress, external motivation provided), phenomenon factor (metacognition centered Agency) intervening condition (cultural and communication factors), action and interaction strategy (macro-level management programs, educational programs, role modeling, coping strategies) and consequences from the main research category (mental health and well-being, excellent sports performance at the adult level, secondary profession) were extracted.<br />Data analysis adds precision to the current understanding of the Career transition from Junior to Senior in Elite Athletics, providing both researchers and practitioners with a detailed understanding of the process. This knowledge can be used to support the work of researchers and practitioners. https://mbsp.sbu.ac.ir/article_104698_0059e3129deb3da2dc6189e7c09fdf47.pdf