Appreciative experiences of young adult athletes: An inquiry of challenges, psychological resilience, and inner strengths
Resumen
This study adopts an Appreciative Inquiry framework within the field of sports psychology to explore the lived experiences of young adult athletes. Its primary aim is to illuminate the positive experiences that serve as sources of psychological strength and resilience, while also identifying the challenges encountered throughout their athletic journey. The sample consists of ten non-professional athletes (both male and female), aged 18 to 23. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 35 minutes each. All interviews were transcribed verbatim to ensure depth and accuracy in the subsequent analysis. Thematic Analysis was employed to interpret the data, leading to the emergence of three master themes, each encompassing specific themes and sub-themes: (a) Challenges, including practical difficulties, mental exhaustion, and physical fatigue; (b) Sources of Motivation, Strength, and Psychological Resilience, such as personal satisfaction and the development of meaningful relationships; and (c) Lived Experience of Sport’s Impact, which includes perceived benefits related to physical and mental well-being, as well as contributions to personal growth and identity formation. The findings underscore the importance of amplifying athletes’ voices in order to inform practices that genuinely support their psychological and emotional needs. By focusing on strengths, values, and aspirations, this study encourages future research to build upon the appreciative lens in order to design interventions and environments that enhance well-being, foster resilience, and create meaningful change in the everyday realities of young athletes.
Article Details
- Cómo citar
-
Lampris, I. (2025). Appreciative experiences of young adult athletes: An inquiry of challenges, psychological resilience, and inner strengths. Homo Virtualis, 8(2), 112–135. https://doi.org/10.12681/homvir.43489
- Sección
- Articles
Esta obra está bajo una licencia internacional Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
· Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
· Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
· Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
Descargas
Los datos de descargas todavía no están disponibles.
Citas
Al Balushi, K. (2016). The use of online semi-structured interviews in interpretive research. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 57(4), 2319-7064.
Baker, J., Safai, P., & Fraser-Thomas, J. (Eds.). (2014). Health and elite sport: Is high performance sport a healthy pursuit?. Routledge.
Beneito-Montagut, R. (2011). Ethnography goes online: towards a user-centred methodology to research interpersonal communication on the internet. Qualitative Research, 11/6: p. 716-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468794111413368
Bertram, R., Gilbert, W., & Culver, D. (2016). Using appreciative inquiry to create high-impact coach learning: Insights from a decade of applied research. Practitioner, 18(2), 59-65. http://doi.org/10.12781/978-1-907549-27-4-9
Brailas, A. (2025). The Appreciative Qualitative Interview: A Research Method for Empowering People. Methodology. European Journal of Research Methods for the Behavioral and Social Sciences, 21(1), 74–90. https://doi.org/10.5964/meth.15421
Brailas, A., Tragou, E., & Papachristopoulos, K. (2023). Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis and Coding with QualCoder. American Journal of Qualitative Research, 7(3), 19–31. https://doi.org/10.29333/ajqr/13230
Brown, C. J., Webb, T. L., Robinson, M. A., & Cotgreave, R. (2019). Athletes’ retirement from elite sport: A qualitative study of parents and partners’ experiences. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 40, 51-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.09.005
Brown, H. E., Lafferty, M. E., & Triggs, C. (2015). In the face of adversity: Resiliency in winter sport athletes. Science & Sports, 30(5), e105-e117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2014.09.006
Calhoun, J. V. (2024). Staying Afloat During Everyday Adversity: Exploring the Intra-and Interpersonal Factors Related to Athletic Buoyancy. Quest, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2024.2343674
Camiré, M., & Trudel, P. (2010). High school athletes’ perspectives on character development through sport participation. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 15(2), 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/17408980902877617
Camiré, M., Trudel, P., & Forneris, T. (2009). High school athletes’ perspectives on support, communication, negotiation and life skill development. Qualitative research in sport and exercise, 1(1), 72-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/19398440802673275
Cho, H., Yi Tan, H., & Lee, E. (2020). Importance of perceived teammate support as a predictor of student-athletes’ positive emotions and subjective well being. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 15(3), 364-374. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120919720
Clements, D., Morgan, K., & Harris, K. (2022). Adopting an appreciative inquiry approach to propose change within a national talent development system. Sport, Education and Society, 27(3), 286-299. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1824903
Collington, V., & Fook, J. (2016). Instigating change through appreciative inquiry: A case study. International Journal of Higher Education Management, 3(1), 1-13.
Cooperrider, D. L. (1986). Appreciative inquiry: Toward a methodology for understanding and enhancing organizational innovation (theory, social, participation) (Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University).
Cram, F. (2010). Appreciative inquiry. Mai Review, 3(1), 1-13.
Deakin, H., & Wakefield, K. (2014). Skype interviewing: Reflections of two PhD researchers. Qualitative research, 14(5), 603-616. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794113488126
Delgadillo, L. M., Palmer, L., & Goetz, J. (2016). A case study demonstrating the use of appreciative inquiry in a financial coaching program. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 45(2), 166-178. https://doi.org/10.1111/fcsr.12191
de Villiers, C., Farooq, M. B., & Molinari, M. (2022). Qualitative research interviews using online video technology–challenges and opportunities. Meditari Accountancy Research, 30(6), 1764-1782. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-03-2021-1252
Fletcher, D., & Sarkar, M. (2012). A grounded theory of psychological resilience in Olympic champions. Psychology of sport and exercise, 13(5), 669-678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.04.007
Galli, N. A. (2005). Bouncing back from adversity: An investigation of resilience in sport (Master's thesis, Miami University).
Galli, N., & Vealey, R. S. (2008). “Bouncing back” from adversity: Athletes’ experiences of resilience. The sport psychologist, 22(3), 316-335. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.22.3.316
Georgiou, M., Constantinou, C. S., Stefanakis, M., & Kioumourtzoglou, E. (2020). How athletes understand the impact of sports on their psychosocial development, the problems they face and the support they need: A qualitative research analysis. SOCIAL REVIEW. International Social Sciences Review/Revista Internacional de Ciencias Sociales, 9(3), 235-246. https://doi.org/10.37467/gka-revsocial.v9.2652
González-Hernández, J., Gomariz-Gea, M., Valero-Valenzuela, A., & Gómez-López, M. (2020). Resilient resources in youth athletes and their relationship with anxiety in different team sports. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5569. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17155569
Gray, S., Treacy, J., & Hall, E. T. (2019). Re-engaging disengaged pupils in physical education: an appreciative inquiry perspective. Sport, Education and Society, 24(3), 241-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2017.1374942
Gustafsson, H., Hassmén, P., Kenttä, G., & Johansson, M. (2008). A qualitative analysis of burnout in elite Swedish athletes. Psychology of sport and exercise, 9(6), 800-816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.11.004
Hall, J., & Hammond, S. (1998). What is appreciative inquiry. Inner edge newsletter, 1-10.
Howells, K., Sarkar, M., & Fletcher, D. (2017). Can athletes benefit from difficulty? A systematic review of growth following adversity in competitive sport. Progress in brain research, 234, 117-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2017.06.002
Joy, E., Kussman, A., & Nattiv, A. (2016). 2016 update on eating disorders in athletes: A comprehensive narrative review with a focus on clinical assessment and management. British journal of sports medicine, 50(3), 154-162. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095735
Kendellen, K., & Camiré, M. (2019). Applying in life the skills learned in sport: A grounded theory. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 40, 23-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.09.002
Lo Iacono, V., Symonds, P., & Brown, D. H. (2016). Skype as a tool for qualitative research interviews. Sociological research online, 21(2), 103-117. https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3952
Ludema, J. D., Cooperrider, D. L., & Barrett, F. J. (2006). Appreciative inquiry: The power of the unconditional positive question. Handbook of action research, 1, 155-165.
MacLean, L. M., Meyer, M., & Estable, A. (2004). Improving accuracy of transcripts in qualitative research. Qualitative health research, 14(1), 113-123.https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732303259804
Malm, C., Jakobsson, J., & Isaksson, A. (2019). Physical activity and sports—real health benefits: a review with insight into the public health of Sweden. Sports, 7(5), 127. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7050127
McManama O’Brien, K. H., Rowan, M., Willoughby, K., Griffith, K., & Christino, M. A. (2021). Psychological resilience in young female athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8668. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168668
Merkel, D. L. (2013). Youth sport: positive and negative impact on young athletes. Open access journal of sports medicine, 151-160. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAJSM.S33556
Miller, R. M., & Barrio Minton, C. A. (2016). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: A contemporary phenomenological approach. Journal of Mental Health Counseling. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.38.1.04
OECD/WHO (2023), Step Up! Tackling the Burden of Insufficient Physical Activity in Europe, OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/500a9601-en
Oliver, D. G., Serovich, J. M., & Mason, T. L. (2005). Constraints and opportunities with interview transcription: Towards reflection in qualitative research. Social forces, 84(2), 1273-1289. https://doi.org/10.1353/sof.2006.0023
Pill, S. (2015). Using Appreciative Inquiry to explore Australian football coaches' experience with game sense coaching. Sport, Education and Society, 20(6), 799-818. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2013.831343
Rice, S. M., Purcell, R., De Silva, S., Mawren, D., McGorry, P. D., & Parker, A. G. (2016). The mental health of elite athletes: A narrative systematic review. Sports medicine, 46, 1333-1353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0492-2
Sarkar, M., & Fletcher, D. (2014). Psychological resilience in sport performers: a review of stressors and protective factors. Journal of sports sciences, 32(15), 1419-1434. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2014.901551
Scholes, M. (2016). An appreciative approach to sports coaching. International Journal of appreciative Inquiry, 18(2). http://doi.org/10.12781/978-1-907549-27-4-10
Smith, J. A. (1996). Beyond the divide between cognition and discourse: Using interpretative phenomenological analysis in health psychology. Psychologyand health, 11(2), 261- 271.
Soligard, T., Schwellnus, M., Alonso, J. M., Bahr, R., Clarsen, B., Dijkstra, H. P., ... & Engebretsen, L. (2016). How much is too much?(Part 1) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of injury. British journal of sports medicine, 50(17), 1030-1041. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096581
Stavros, J. M., & Torres, C. B. (2005). Dynamic relationships: Unleashing the power of appreciative inquiry in daily living. Taos Institute Publications.
Strachan, L., Côté, J., & Deakin, J. (2011). A new view: Exploring positive youth development in elite sport contexts. Qualitative research in sport, exercise and health, 3(1), 9-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/19398441.2010.541483
Troxel, J. P. (2002). Appreciative inquiry: An action research method for organizational transformation and its implications to the practice of group process facilitation. Unpublished working paper, Millennia Consulting, LLC, Chicago, IL.
Trudel, P., Gilbert, W., & Rodrigues, F. (2016). The journey from competent to innovator: Using appreciative inquiry to enhance high performance coaching. International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry, 18(2). http://doi.org/10.12781/978-1-907549-27-4-5
Tunçalp, D., & L. Lê, P. (2014). (Re) Locating boundaries: a systematic review of online ethnography. Journal of Organizational Ethnography, 3(1), 59-79. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOE-11-2012-0048
Villalba, F. L., García, P. R., Cantó, E. G., & Soto, J. P. (2016). Relationship between sport and physical activity and alcohol consumption among adolescents students in Murcia (Spain). Archivos argentinos de pediatria, 114(2), 101-106.
White, R. L., & Bennie, A. (2015). Resilience in youth sport: A qualitative investigation of gymnastics coach and athlete perceptions. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 10(2-3), 379-393. https://doi.org/10.1260/1747-9541.10.2-3.379
Whitney, D. D., & Trosten-Bloom, A. (2010). The power of appreciative inquiry: A practical guide to positive change. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.
Willig, C. (2013). EBOOK: introducing qualitative research in psychology. McGraw-hill education (UK).
World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Physical activity. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
