An Identity Theory of Role Exit among Soccer Referees

This study examines how identity processes affect role exit. I test a model of role exit that situates the identity processes of cognitive processes (reflected appraisals and social comparisons), rewards and costs related to the role, commitment to the role, and identity centrality as mediating factors between role-set and social characteristic background factors, and role exit. Using a sample of 940 current and former soccer referees in Virginia and the District of Columbia, the results show that several role-set background factors and social characteristics affect role exit. However, identity processes explain some of the effect that the background factors have on role exit. The results have implications for identity theory and role exit theory and for helping referee organizations understand why referees quit.