Sport, a lifejacket in stormy seas : narratives of coping through sporting lives

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the meaning given to the experiences of sporting lives after a negative life occurrence. Four participants share their stories through in-­depth semi-­structured interviews whilst the researcher’s own input of experiences makes her the fifth participant. Based on a relativist ontology and a subjectivist epistemology, a qualitative research method is used, specifically the narrative inquiry and the auto-­ethnography. From the data analysis of the participants’ re-­presented narratives, the following themes linking difficult life circumstances and sporting lives emerge: coping versus avoidance through sport involvement;; life reconstruction, personal growth and meaning-­making;; the social life-­line;; the physiological and psychological synergy towards quality of life;; the negative aspects of sport. Such themes point at the important role of sport-­related physical activity in one’s coping process with a negative life event. In light of the findings discussed, various implications for counselling are outlined with the most salient being the need for counsellors to recognise the therapeutic value of sport in their work for clients’ wellbeing. Recommendations for future research are also given.