Abandoned to manage the post-Olympic blues: Olympians reflect on their experiences and the need for a change

References

• Arnold, R., and M. Sarkar. 2015. “Preparing Athletes and Teams for the Olympic Games: Experiences and Lessons Learned from the World’s Best Sport Psychologists.” International Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology 13 (1): 4–20. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2014.932827.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Benevides, T. W., S. M. Shore, K. Palmer, P. Duncan, A. Plank, M. Andresen, R. Caplan, et al. 2020. “Listening to the Autistic Voice: Mental Health Priorities to Guide and Practice in Autism from a Stakeholder-driven Project.” Autism 24 (4): 822–833. doi:10.1177/1362361320908410.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Bennie, A., C. C. Walton, D. O’Connor, L. Fitzsimons, and T. Hammond. 2021. “Exploring the Experiences and Well-being of Australian Rio Olympians during the post-Olympic Phase: A Qualitative Study.” Frontiers in Psychology 12 (1964). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.685322.
   Google Scholar
• Bloor, M., Ed. 2001. Focus Groups in Social Research. London: Sage.
   Google Scholar
• Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2006. “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology.” Qualitative Research in Psychology 3 (2): 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa.
   Google Scholar
• Braun, V., and V. Clarke. 2019. “Reflecting on Reflexive Thematic Analysis.” Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 11 (4): 589–597. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2019.1628806.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Burrows, E., and S. McArdle. 2020. “Psychoeducation through Digital Video for Olympic and Paralympic Athletic Career Transition.” Health Education Journal 79 (5): 516–528. doi:10.1177/0017896919893727.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Cosh, S. M., D. G. McNeil, and P. J. Tully. 2020. “Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Crisis Transitions: An Examination of Retired Athletes Accounting of Crisis Transition Experiences in a Cultural Context.” Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 1–20. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2020.1765852.
   Google Scholar
• Department, Statistica Research. (2020). “Number of Athletes Competing at Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Japan 2019”. Available at https://www.statista.com/statistics/1096816/japan-number-of-athletes-competing-tokyo-2020-olympic-and-paralympic-games/#:~:text=As%20of%20July%202019%2C%20approximately,to%20September%206%20in%20Japan
   Google Scholar
• Diment, G., K. Henriksen, and C. H. Larsen. 2020. “Team Denmark’s Sport Psychology Professional Philosophy 2.0.” Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 2: 26–32. doi:10.7146/sjsep.v2i0.115660.
   Google Scholar
• Doherty, S., B. Hannigan, and M. J. Campbell. 2016. “The Experience of Depression during the Careers of Elite Male Athletes.” Frontiers in Psychology 7: 1069. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01069.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Douglas, Kitrina, and David Carless. “Performance, discovery, and relational narratives among women professional tournament golfers.” Women in sport & physical activity journal 15, no. 2 (2006): 14.
   Google Scholar
• Duffy, J., B. Rooney, and J. Matthews. 2021. “Coaches’ Mental Health Literacy and Role Perceptions for Supporting Young People’s Mental Health.” Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 33 (1): 45–59. doi:10.1080/10413200.2019.1646840.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Gahwiler, C. 2016. “Psychological Preparation of the 2004 South African Olympic Team.” South African Journal of Sports Medicine 19 (3): 68–73. doi:10.17159/2078-516X/2007/v19i3a642.
   Google Scholar
• Gordin, R. D., and K. P. Henschen. 2012. “Reflections on the Psychological Preparation of the USA Ski and Snowboard Team for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games.” Journal of Sport Psychology in Action 3 (2): 88–97. doi:10.1080/21520704.2012.683091.
   Google Scholar
• Grey-Thompson, T. (2017, April). “Duty of Care in Sport. Independent Report to Government”. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/duty-of-care-in-sport-review
   Google Scholar
• Guba, E. G., and Y. S. Lincoln. 1998. “Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research.” In The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues, edited by N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln, 195–220. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
   Google Scholar
• Halliday, A. J., M. L. Kern, DK. Garrett, and D. A. Turnball. 2019. “The Student Voice in Well-being: A Case Study of Participatory Action Research in Positive Education.” Educational Action Research 27 (2): 173–196. doi:10.1080/09650792.2018.1436079.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Hammond, T., C. Gialloretto, H. Kubas, and H. Davis. 2013. “The Prevalence of Failure-based Depression among Elite Athletes.” Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine 23 (4): 273–277. doi:10.1097/JSM.0b013e318287b870.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Henriksen, K., R. Schinke, S. McCann, N. Durand-Bush, K. Moesch, W. D. Parham, … J. Hunziker. 2020. “Athlete Mental Health in the Olympic/Paralympic Quadrennium: A Multi-societal Consensus Statement.” International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 18 (3): 391–408. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2020.1746379.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Howells, K., and M. Lucassen. 2018. “‘Post-olympic blues’ –the Diminution of Celebrity in Olympic Athletes.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 37: 67–78. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.04.008.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Howells, K., and R. Wadey. 2020. “Nurturing Growth in the Aftermath of Adversity: A Narrative Review of Evidence-based Practice.” In Growth following Adversity in Sport: A Mechanism to Positive Change., edited by R. Wadey, M. Day, and K. Howells. Routledge 219–234 .
   Google Scholar
• Jackson, S. A., J. Dover, and L. Mayocchi. 1998. “Life after Winning Gold: I. Experiences of Australian Olympic Gold Medallists.” The Sport Psychologist 12 (2): 119–136. doi:10.1123/tsp.12.2.119.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Knight, C. 2012. “Social Workers’ Attitudes Towards and Engagement in Self-disclosure.” Social Work Journal 40 (3): 297–306. doi:10.1007/s10615-012-0408-z.
   Google Scholar
• Krane, V., S. R. Ross, K. S. Barak, C. B. Lucas-Carr, and C. L. Robinson. 2014. “Being a Girl Athlete.” Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 6 (1): 77–97. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2013.809380.
   Google Scholar
• Larkin, Ben, Brendan Dwyer, and Chad Goebert. “Man or machine: Fantasy football and dehumanization of professional athletes.” Journal of Sport Management 34, no. 5 (2020): 403–416.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Liddle, S. K., F. P. Deane, M. Batterham, and S. A. Vella. 2021. “A Brief Sports-based Mental Health Literacy Program for Male Adolescents: A Cluster-randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Applied Sport Psychology 33 (1): 20–44. doi:10.1080/10413200.2019.1653404.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• McArdle, S., P. Moore, and D. Lyons. 2014. “Olympic Athletes’ Experiences of a Post Games Career Transition Program.” The Sport Psychologist 28 (3): 269–278. doi:10.1123/tsp.2013-0046.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Merlin, J. S., S. R. Young, M. O. Johnson, M. Saag, W. Demonte, and J. M. Turan. 2017. “Using Patient Perspectives to Inform the Development of A Behavioural Intervention for Chronic Pain in Patients with HIV: A Qualitative Study.” Pain Medicine 18: 879–888. doi:10.1093/pm/pnw150.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Moore, Z. E. 2003. “Ethical Dilemmas in Sport Psychology: Discussion and Recommendations for Practice.” Professional Psychology, Research and Practice 34 (6): 601–610. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.34.6.601.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Namey, E., G. Guest, K. McKenna, and M. Chen. 2016. “Evaluating Bang for the Buck: A Cost-effectiveness Comparison between Individual Interviews and Focus Groups Based on Thematic Saturation Levels.” American Journal of Evaluation 37 (3): 425–440. doi:10.1177/1098214016630406.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Probst, B., and M. Vicars . 2016. “Both/and: Researcher as Participant in Qualitative Inquiry.” Qualitative Research Journal 16 (2): 149–158. doi:10.1108/QRJ-06-2015-0038.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Ranson, C., S. Leyland, L. Board, R. Jaques, and A. Currie. 2020. “166 Psychological Distress and Wellbeing in UK Olympic and Paralympic Athletes.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 54 (Suppl 1): A70. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-IOCAbstracts.166.
   PubMedGoogle Scholar
• Reardon, C. L., B. Hainline, C. M. Aron, D. Baron, A. L. Baum, A. Bindra, … L. Engebretsen. 2019. “Mental Health in Elite Athletes: International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement (2019).” British Journal of Sports Medicine 53 (11): 667–699. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-100715.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Roberts, G. A., R. Arnold, F. Gillison, M. Colclough, and J. Bilzon. 2020. “Military Veteran Athletes’ Experiences of Competing at the 2016 Invictus Games: A Qualitative Study.” Disability and Rehabilitation 1–10. doi:10.1080/09638288.2020.1725655.
   Google Scholar
• Samuel, R. D., G. Tenenbaum, and H. G. Bar-Mecher. 2016. “The Olympic Games as a Career Change-event: Israeli Athletes’ and Coaches’ Perceptions of London 2012.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 24: 38–47. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.01.003.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Sarmiento, K., Z. Donnell, E. Bell, and R. Hoffman. 2019. “From the CDC: A Qualitative Study of Middle and High School Professionals’ Experiences and Views on Concussion: Identifying Opportunities to Support the Return to School Process.” Journal of Safety Research 68: 223–229. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2018.10.010.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Schinke, R. J., N. B. Stambulova, D. Trepanier, and O. Oghene. 2015. “Psychological Support for the Canadian Olympic Boxing Team in Meta-transitions through the National Team Program.” International Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology 13 (1): 74–89. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2014.959982.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Seligman, M. 2011. Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being. New York: Free Press.
   Google Scholar
• Smith, B., and K. R. McGannon. 2018. “Developing Rigor in Qualitative Research: Problems and Opportunities within Sport and Exercise Psychology.” International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology 11 (1): 101–121. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2017.1317357.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Stambulova, N. B. 2017. “Crisis-transitions in Athletes: Current Emphases on Cognitive and Contextual Factors.” Current Opinion in Psychology 16: 62–66. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.013.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Todd, N. J., S. H. Jones, and F. A. Lobban. 2012. ““Recovery” in Bipolar Disorder: How Can Service Users Be Supported through A Self-management Intervention? A Qualitative Focus Group Study.” Journal of Mental Health 21 (2): 114–126. doi:10.3109/09638237.2011.621471.
   PubMed Web of Science ®Google Scholar
• Trainor, L. R., and A. Bundon (2021). “Developing the Craft: Reflexive Accounts of Doing Reflexive Thematic Analysis”. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 13 (5):1–22. 1 0.1 080/2159676X.2020.1840423
   Google Scholar
• Wertz, F. J. 2011. Five Ways of Doing Qualitative Analysis: Phenomenological Psychology, Grounded Theory, Discourse Analysis, Narrative Research, and Intuitive Inquiry. New York: Guilford Press.
   Google Scholar
• Wylleman, P., A. Reints, and S. Van Aken. 2012. “Athletes’ Perceptions of Multilevel Changes Related to Competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.” Psychology of Sport and Exercise 13 (5): 687–692. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.04.005.
   Web of Science ®Google Scholar