Female Athletes' Experiences of Positive Growth Following Deselection in Sport

The purpose of this study was to explore female athletes' experiences of positive growth following deselection from provincial sport teams. Interviews were conducted with 18 women (M  = 22.45 years, SD = 1.38) who were deselected from provincial soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball teams as adole...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sport & exercise psychology 2018-08, Vol.40 (4), p.173-185
Main Authors: Neely, Kacey C, Dunn, John G H, McHugh, Tara-Leigh F, Holt, Nicholas L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Athletes - psychology
Canada
Children & youth
Female
Females
Humans
Post traumatic stress disorder
Post-traumatic growth
Provinces
Rejection (Psychology)
Selection
Self Concept
Social Identification
Young Adult
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Summary:The purpose of this study was to explore female athletes' experiences of positive growth following deselection from provincial sport teams. Interviews were conducted with 18 women (M  = 22.45 years, SD = 1.38) who were deselected from provincial soccer, ice hockey, and volleyball teams as adolescents. Interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology was used. The analysis was guided by Tedeschi and Calhoun's model of posttraumatic growth. Results showed that participants questioned their identity and ability as athletes following deselection. Growth was a gradual process that unfolded over several years, experienced through a greater appreciation of the role of sport in the participants' lives and sport becoming a priority, an enhanced sense of personal strength, developing closer social relationships, and a recognition of new and other opportunities. These findings show that cognitive processes and social relationships are critical components in the process of positive growth.
ISSN:0895-2779
1543-2904
DOI:10.1123/jsep.2017-0136