Fostering and Sustaining Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life: The Perspectives of Senior-Level, Experienced Sport Psychology Practitioners

in The Sport Psychologist

Click name to view affiliation

Alessandro Quartiroli University of Wisconsin–La Crosse

Search for other papers by Alessandro Quartiroli in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Sharon M. Knight East Carolina University

Search for other papers by Sharon M. Knight in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Edward F. Etzel West Virginia University

Search for other papers by Edward F. Etzel in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek University of Tennessee–Knoxville

Search for other papers by Rebecca A. Zakrajsek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2017-0140
Keywords:
effective practice; ethical practice; professional sustainability; professional well-being
In Print:
Volume 33: Issue 2
Page Range:
148–158
Restricted access

Researchers have examined psychology professionals’ ability to maintain and sustain effective practices while managing to balance their personal and professional lives. Stamm’s concept of professional quality of life was intended to capture both positive and negative aspects of caregivers’ professional experiences. The concept, however, inadequately addresses the unique context of sport psychology practitioners’ (SPPs) practice. As part of a larger qualitative study of sport psychology professional quality of life (SP-PQL), in this paper the researchers explored the challenges and strategies articulated by a multinational sample of 20 senior-level SPPs related to developing and maintaining their SP-PQL. Findings from an analysis of in-depth interviews revealed challenges and the strategies that participants undertook to foster and sustain their SP-QOL. These findings can be used to inform efforts by current and future practitioners to identify aspects that may thwart or support their SP-PQL.

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

Quartiroli (aquartiroli@uwlax.edu) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

The Sport Psychologist

Cover The Sport Psychologist

  • Andersen, M.B., Van Raalte, J.L., & Brewer, B.W. (2001). Sport psychology service delivery: Staying ethical while keeping loose. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 32 ,12–18. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.32.1.12

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Anderson, A.G., Knowles, Z., & Gilbourne, D. (2004). Reflective practice for sport psychologists: Concepts, models, practical implications, and thoughts on dissemination. The Sport Psychologist, 18 ,188–203. doi:10.1123/tsp.18.2.188

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bakker, A.B., Schaufeli, W.B., Leiter, M.P., & Taris, T.W. (2008). Work engagement: An emerging concept in occupational health psychology. Work & Stress, 22 ,187–200. doi:10.1080/02678370802393649

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Blair, H. (2001). You’re only as good as your last job: The labour process and labour market in the British film industry. Work, Employment and Society, 15 ,149–169. doi:10.1177/09500170122118814

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bradley, S., Drapeau, M., & De Stefano, J. (2012). The relationship between continuing education, and perceived competence, professional support and professional value among clinical psychologists. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 32 ,31–38. PubMed ID: 22447709 doi:10.1002/chp.21120

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Burchill, B., Day, D., Hudson, M., Ladipo, D., Mankelow, R., Nolan, J., … Wilkinson, F. (1999). Job insecurity and work intensification: Flexibility and the changing boundaries of work. New York, NY: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Burkard, A.W., Knox, S., & Hill, C.E. (2012). Data collection. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 83–102). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Craig, C.D., & Sprang, G. (2010). Compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in a national sample of trauma treatment therapists. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 23 ,319–339. doi:10.1080/10615800903085818

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cropley, B., Baldock, L., Mellalieu, S.D., Neil, R., Wagstaff, C.R.D., & Wadey, R. (2016). Coping with the demands of professional practice: Sport psychology consultants’ perspectives. The Sport Psychologist, 30 ,290–302. doi:10.1123/tsp.2015-0125

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Edwards, D., Hannigan, B., Fothergill, A., & Burnard, P. (2002). Stress management for mental health professionals: A review of effective techniques. Stress & Health, 18 ,203–215. doi:10.1002/smi.947

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fletcher, D., Rumbolt, J.L., Tester, R., & Coombes, M.S. (2011). Sport psychologists’ experiences of organizational stressors. The Sport Psychologist, 25 ,363–381. doi:10.1123/tsp.25.3.363

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ganey, K.R. (2005). Resilience and emotional depletion as predictors of dyadic satisfaction of psychologists in Pennsylvania. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering, 65(12-B), 6650.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gilmore, S., Wagstaff, C., & Smith, J. (2017). Sports psychology in the English Premier League: ‘It feels precarious and is precarious.’ Work, Employment and Society, 32 ,426–435. doi:10.1177/0950017017713933

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Goodman, M.J., & Schorling, J.B. (2012). A mindfulness course decreases burnout and improves wellbeing among healthcare providers. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 43 ,119–128. PubMed ID: 22849035 doi:10.2190/PM.43.2.b

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Green, A.G., & Hawley, G.C. (2009). Early career psychologists: Understanding, engaging, and mentoring tomorrow’s leaders. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40 ,206–212. doi:10.1037/a0012504

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Haberl, P., & Peterson, K. (2006). Olympic-size ethical dilemmas: Issues and challenges for sport psychology consultants on the road and at the Olympic Games. Ethics & Behavior, 16 ,25–40. doi:10.1207/s15327019eb1601_4

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Handcock, M.S., & Gile, K.J. (2011). Comment: On the concept of snowball sampling. Sociological Methodology, 41 ,367–371. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9531.2011.01243.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hill, C.E. (2012a). Introduction to consensual qualitative research. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 3–20). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hill, C.E. (2012b). Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hill, C.E., Knox, S., Thompson, B.J., Williams, E.N., Hess, S.A., & Ladany, N. (2005). Consensual qualitative research: An update. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52 ,196–205. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.52.2.196

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hill, C.E., Thompson, B.J., & Williams, E.N. (1997). A guide to conducting consensual qualitative research .The Counseling Psychologist, 25 ,517–572. doi:10.1177/0011000097254001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hings, R.F., Wagstaff, C.R.D., Anderson, V., Gilmore, S., & Thelwell, R.C. (2018). Professional challenges in elite sports medicine and science: Composite vignettes of practitioner emotional labor. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 35 ,66–73. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.11007

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hings, R.F., Wagstaff, C.R.D., Thelwell, R.C., Gilmore, S., & Anderson, V. (2018). Emotional labor and professional practice in sports medicine and science. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(2), 704–716. PubMed ID: 28665523 doi:10.1111/sms.12941

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Janghorban, R., Roudsari, R.L., & Taghipour, A. (2014). Skype interviewing: The new generation of online synchronous interview in qualitative research .International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 9 ,24152. doi:10.3402/qhw.v9.24152

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kalleberg, A.L. (2009). Precarious work, insecure workers: Employment relations in transition. American Sociological Review, 74 ,1–22. doi:10.1177/000312240907400101

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kim, K., Han, Y., Kwak, Y., & Kim, J. (2015). Professional quality of life and clinical competencies among Korean nurses. Asian Nursing Research, 9 ,200–206. PubMed ID: 26412623 doi:10.1016/j.anr.2015.03.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ladany, N., Thompson, B.J., & Hill, C.E. (2012). Cross-analysis. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 117–134). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Larsen, D., & Stamm, B.H. (2008). Professional quality of life and trauma therapists. In S. Joseph & P.A. Linley (Eds.), Trauma, recovery and growth: Positive psychological perspectives on posttraumatic stress (pp. 275–293). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lawson, G., & Myers, J.E. (2011). Wellness, professional quality of life, and career sustaining behaviors: What keeps us well? Journal of Counseling & Development, 89 ,163–171. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2011.tb00074.x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Martin-Fernandez, J., Gomez-Gascon, T., Beamud-Lagos, M., Cortes-Rubio, J.A., & Alberquilla-Mendez-Asenjo, A. (2007). Professional quality of life and organizational changes: A five-year observational study in primary care. BMC Health Service Research, 7 ,1–9. doi:10.1186/1472-6963-7-101

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maslach, C. (2003). Job burnout: New directions in research and intervention. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12 ,189–192. doi:10.1111/1467-8721.01258

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maslach, C., Schaufeli, W.B., & Leiter, M.P. (2001). Job burnout. Annual Review of Psychology, 52 ,397–422. PubMed ID: 11148311 doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.397

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McCalla, T., & Fitzpatrick, S. (2016). Integrating sport psychology within a high-performance team: Potential stakeholders, micropolitics, and culture. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 7 ,33–42. doi:10.1080/21520704.2015.1123208

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McCann, S.C. (2000). Doing sport psychology in the really big show. In M.B. Andersen (Ed.), Doing sport psychology (pp. 209–277). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McCormack, H., MacIntyre, T.E., O’shea, D., Campbell, M.J., & Igou, E.R. (2015). Practicing what we preach: Investigating the role of social support in sport psychologists’ wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology, 6 ,1854. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01854

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McEwan, H.E., & Tod, D. (2014). Learning experiences contributing to service-delivery competence in applied psychologists: Lessons for sport psychologists. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27(1), 79–93. doi:10.1080/10413200.2014.952460

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M., & Saldana, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publication, Inc.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mullenbach, M., & Skovholt, T.M. (2004). Emotional wellness and professional resiliency of master therapists: Exploring expertise in therapy and counseling. In T.M. Skovholt & L. Jennings (Eds.), Master therapists: Exploring expertise in therapy and counseling (pp. 77–106). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Onyett, S. (2011). Revisiting job satisfaction and burnout in community mental health teams. Journal of Mental Health, 20 ,198–209. PubMed ID: 21406021 doi:10.3109/09638237.2011.556170

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Patton, M.Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice. London, UK: SAGE Publication, Inc.

  • Pope, K.S., Tabachnick, B.G., & Keith-Spiegel, P. (1987). Ethics of practice: The beliefs and behaviors of psychologists as therapists. American Psychologist, 42 ,993–1006. PubMed ID: 3434923 doi:10.1037/0003-066X.42.11.993

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Quartiroli, A., & Etzel, E. (2012, August 2–5). Ethics and self-care of sport and exercise psychology professionals. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association 2012 National Convention, Orlando FL.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Quartiroli, A., Etzel, E.F., Knight, S.M., & Zakrajsek, R.A. (2018). Self-care as key to others’ care: The perspectives of globally situated experienced senior-level sport psychology practitioners. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1–21. doi:10.1080/10413200.20181460420

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Quartiroli, A., Etzel, E.F., Knight, S.M., & Zakraisek, R.A. (in press). The multifaceted meaning of sport psychology professional quality of life. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1–37. doi:10.1123/jcsp.2017-0048

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Quartiroli, A., Knight, S., Etzel, E., & Monaghan, M. (2017). Using Skype to facilitate team-based qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 20 ,659–666. doi:

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rønnestad, M.H., & Skovholt, T.M. (2013). The developing practitioner:Growth and stagnation of therapists and counselors. New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rupert, P.A., & Kent, J.S. (2007). Gender and work setting differences in career-sustaining behaviors and burnout among professional psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 38 ,88–96. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.38.1.88

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rupert, P.A., & Morgan, D. (2005). Work setting and burnout among professional psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36 ,544–550. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.36.5.544

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schlosser, L.Z., Dewey, J.H., & Hill, C.E. (2012). Auditing. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 135–144). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sim, W., Huang, T.C., & Hill, C.E. (2012). Biases and expectations. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 59–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Skovholt, T.M., & Trotter-Mathison, M. (2011). The resilient practitioner: Burnout prevention and self-care strategies for counselors, therapists, teachers, and health professionals (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smith, B. (2018). Generalizability in qualitative research: Misunderstandings, opportunities and recommendations for the sport and exercise sciences. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 10(1), 137–149. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2017.1393221

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stamm, A.W. (2002). Measuring Compassion Satisfaction as well as fatigue: Developmental history of the Compassion Satisfaction and fatigue test. In C.R. Figley (Ed.), Treating compassion fatigue (pp. 107–119). New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stamm, B.H. (2010). The concise ProQOL manual. Pocatello, ID: ProQOL.org.

  • Stevanovic, P., & Rupert, P.A. (2004). Career-sustaining behaviors, satisfactions, and stresses of professional psychologists. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41 ,301–309. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.41.3.301

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thompson, B.J., Vivino, B.L., & Hill, C.E. (2012). Coding the data: Domains and core ideas. In C.E. Hill (Ed.), Consensual qualitative research: A practical resource for investigating social science phenomena (pp. 103–116). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tod, D. (2007). The long and winding road: Professional development in sport psychology. The Sport Psychologist, 21 ,94–108. doi:10.1123/tsp.21.1.94

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Van den Broeck, A., Vansteenkiste, M., De Witte, H., & Lens, W. (2008). Explaining the relationships between job characteristics, burnout and engagement: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction. Work and Stress, 22 ,277–294. doi:10.1080/02678370802393672

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vosko, L., MacDonald, M., & Campbell, I. (2009). Introduction: Gender and the concept of precarious employment. In L. Vosko, M. MacDonald, & I. Campbell (Eds.), Gender and the contours of precarious employment (pp. 1–26). New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wagstaff, C.R., Gilmore, S., & Thelwell, R.C. (2015). Sport medicine and sport science practitioners’ experiences of organizational change. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 25 ,685–698. PubMed ID: 25487162 doi:10.1111/sms.12340

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wagstaff, C.R., Gilmore, S., & Thelwell, R.C. (2016). When the show must go on: Investigating repeated organizational change in elite sport. Journal of Change Management, 16 ,38–54. doi:10.1080/14697017.2015.1062793

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Watson, J.C., II , & Clement, D. (2008). Ethical and practical issues related to multiple role relationships in sport psychology. Athletic Insight, 10 ,1–13.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Waumsley, J.A., Hemmings, B., & Payne, S.M. (2010). Work–life balance, role conflict and the UK sport psychology consultant. The Sport Psychologist, 24 ,245–262. doi:10.1123/tsp.24.2.245

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wise, E.H., Sturm, C.A., Nutt, R.L., Rodolfa, E., Schaffer, J.B., & Webb, C. (2010). Life-long learning for psychologists: Current status and a vision for the future. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41 ,288–297. doi:10.1037/a0020424

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3347 1089 66
Full Text Views 184 46 6
PDF Downloads 127 26 8