Amy Chan Hyung Kim

Psychological capital in sport organizations: Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism among Employees in Sport (HEROES)

ABSTRACT Research question: The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive picture of positive organizational behavior in sport organizations by better understanding sport employees’ psychological capital (PsyCap) for desirable attitudes (job satisfaction and psychological well-being), behaviors (citizenship), and performance. Further, we examine antecedents of PsyCap at the employee, the leader, and organizational level. Research methods: Through an in-depth literature review and series of panel discussions, we present a conceptual framework for sport employees working in sport teams at the professional or collegiate levels. Results and Findings: In detailing a conceptual model of Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, and Optimism among Employees in Sport (HEROES), we expand the knowledge on PsyCap by identifying the factors that potentially affect sport employee PsyCap and the outcomes that can be expected from PsyCap enhancement. Implications: Sport management researchers can empirically examine the proposed links in the HEROES model and look into which of the aforementioned components actively influence sport employees’ PsyCap, as well as which outcomes are most strongly affected by enhanced PsyCap.

Importance of playing pickleball for older adults’ subjective well-being: A serious leisure perspective

Abstract Pickleball, a paddle sport, is the fastest-growing sport in the US. As pickleball has been specifically popular among older adults, there is a growing interest in understanding its positive aspects. Therefore, this study explored the relation between financial status, loneliness, serious leisure, and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults. In southern states in the US, a convenience sample of older adults who participated in pickleball competitions was recruited (n = 153). From hierarchical regression analyses, we found that (a) serious leisure significantly predicted SWB, (b) financial status was not related to SWB, and (c) loneliness was not related to SWB. We suggest that playing pickleball as a form of serious leisure may add significant value to older adults’ daily lives and contribute to successful aging.

Understanding pickleball as a new leisure pursuit among older adults

ABSTRACT For older adults, participating in leisure activities has psychosocial benefits, increases social interactions, and promotes well-being. Among various leisure activities, pickleball is an activity that fosters positive social interaction and health benefits in older adults. Pickleball is regarded as one of the fastest growing sports in the USA, and it is reported to be popular among people of all ages, especially among older adults. The purpose of this study was to gather demographic details of older pickleball participants and elucidate the psychosocial benefits of playing the sport, such as life satisfaction, optimism, and social integration. To this end, we gathered information from 153 older adults who competed in pickleball tournaments. Multivariate analysis of variance and Hotelling’s T2 test were used to compare the differences that emerged in experiential factors such as life satisfaction, optimism, and social integration among the different demographic characteristics. The results showed that life satisfaction was significantly different among the following three age groups: 50–59 years, 60–69 years, and ≥70 years. Results of Hotelling’s T2 test showed a significant difference in social integration between male and female participants. The test also revealed a significant difference in terms of life satisfaction between retired and employed participants. The results suggest that playing pickleball can be an enriching leisure activity for retirees and may help them cope with the transition that retirement typically entails.