Randy C. Battochio

Acculturation in elite sport: a thematic analysis of immigrant athletes and coaches

Abstract To identify key issues concerning the acculturation of immigrant athletes in sport psychology, a thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was conducted on focus group interview data from immigrant elite athletes relocated to Canada (n = 13) and coaches working with such athletes (n = 10). Two central themes were identified: (a) navigating two world views which referred to acculturation as a fluid process where athletes navigated between cultural norms of the home community and the host community, and (b) acculturation loads, which referred to whether immigrants and those in the host country shared acculturation (i.e., acculturation as a two-way process) or managed the load with or without support from others (i.e., acculturation as one-directional). Each of these central themes comprised sub-themes, which provided further insight into the experiences of acculturation for immigrant elite athletes. From the project, the authors recommend further research utilising case studies to provide a holistic description of the acculturation process from the vantage of various people within the sport context.

The Challenges Encountered by Immigrated Elite Athletes

Sport psychology consultants and coaches in sport sometimes work with athletes who re-locate from other countries. Though immigrated athletes encounter many transition and adjustment issues linked to their relocation, little is known about what those challenges are and subsequently, how they might be overcome. This article identifies some of the challenges encountered by this group of athletes, post-relocation, and subsequently proposes a brief adaptation framework and associated strategies that can be used either through direct (i.e., by the athlete) or indirect (i.e., through coaches and sport scientists) means. Recommendations are provided to expedite the immigrated athletes adaptation process.

Understanding immigrated professional athletes' support networks during post-relocation adaptation through media data

A directed content analysis (Hsieh & Shannon, 2005) of media data concerning immigrated Major League Baseball (n = 56) and National Hockey League (n = 56) players was done to explore post-relocation stressors and adaptation. Fiskes (2004) adaptation pathways of understanding, control, belonging, and trust guided the analysis. The understanding sub-strategies were language advice, language models, and integration advice; control sub-strategies were language reinforcement and integration reinforcement; belonging sub-strategies were shared cultural background and cultural appreciation from ones sport team; and trusting sub-strategies were inclusive reputation of the team and of immigrated veterans. These results extend understandings of adaptation and cultural sport psychology into the realm of immigrant professional athletes relocated to North America. Furthermore, the authors provide suggestions for applied sport psychologists who work with a diversity of immigrated clients.

The Adaptation Challenges and Strategies of Adolescent Aboriginal Athletes Competing Off Reserve

Within the motivation literature, it has been indicated that athletes respond more effectively to sport’s contextual challenges through effective adaptation skills. Fiske identified five core motives as facilitators of the adaptation process across cultures: belonging, understanding, controlling, self-enhancement, and trusting. Through a cultural sport psychology approach, the adaptation challenges and strategies of Canadian Aboriginal adolescent athletes from one community (Wikwemikong) are described as they traveled off reserve to compete in mainstream sporting events. Concurrently, Fiske’s core motives are considered in relation to youth sport participants from the aforementioned Aboriginal community. Culture sensitive research methods among the Wikwemikong, including community meetings, talking circles (TCs), indigenous coding, and coauthoring, were employed in this article. Data are reflected in three themes: (a) challenges pursuing sport outside of the Aboriginal community in advance of bicultural encounters, (b) challenging bicultural encounters in Canadian mainstream sport contexts, and (c) specific responses to racism and discrimination.

Stages and demands in the careers of Canadian National Hockey League players

Abstract Researchers have identified some demands of Canadian National Hockey League (NHL) players, yet there is little direction for players hoping to reach the lucrative league. The objectives of this study were to identify the stages, statuses and demands in Canadian NHL players’ careers and propose an empirical career model of Canadian NHL players. In total, 5 rookies, 5 veterans and 13 retirees had their interviews undergo an interpretive thematic analysis. Prospects face the NHL combine, training camp and minor league assignment. While developing into NHL players, rookies deal with NHL call-ups, team competition and formative production while sophomores seemed preoccupied by the opposition. Prime veterans become All-Stars by garnering point production and challenging for the Stanley Cup while seasoned veterans remain relevant through training camps. A discussion about the model’s viability is followed by applications for sport psychology researchers and practitioners.