The Multifaceted Meaning of Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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Alessandro QuartiroliUniversity of Wisconsin – La Crosse

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Edward F. EtzelWest Virginia University

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Sharon M. KnightEast Carolina University

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Rebecca A. ZakrajsekUniversity of Tennessee – Knoxville

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0048
Keywords:
effective practice; ethical practice; professional sustainability; professional well-being
In Print:
Volume 13: Issue 4
Page Range:
645–667
Restricted access

Experienced and senior sport psychology practitioners achieved longevity in effective professional practice by embracing sustainable approaches to their profession, assumed to be influenced by their positive professional quality of life. The aim of this study was to gain insight into how these practitioners defined and attended to their profession-specific quality of life. Utilizing Consensual Qualitative Research method, researchers examined the perceptions and meanings that 20 internationally located practitioners attributed to their Sport Psychology-Professional Quality of Life (SP-PQL). Findings revealed a view of SP-PQL that encompassed five domains: (a) the lived experience of SP-PQL, (b) the nature of the SP profession, (c) SP-PQL as an ongoing journey, (d) deliberate engagement in the SP profession, and (e) the interconnection between the personal and the professional. These practitioners recognized the importance of a positive SP-PQL as a foundation for a positive, effective, and long-lasting career in the field.

Quartiroli is with the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, La Crosse, WI. Etzel is with the West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. Knight is with the East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Zakrajsek is with the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Knoxville, TN.

Address author correspondence to Alessandro Quartiroli at aquartiroli@uwlax.edu.
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Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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