Impacting and being impacted by overuse injuries: an ethnodrama of parents’ experiences

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to explore the experience of parents of gymnasts suffering from overuse injuries. The work is part of a wider ethnographic project, with 43 participants (16 gymnasts, 3 coaches, 1 physiotherapist, 22 parents, 1 manager), which investigated the psychosocial factors affecting the development of overuse injuries in gymnasts. Data collection began with observations, formal and informal interviews, and a focus group, which were transcribed and analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Preliminary results were shared with the participants and reflective interviews were conducted to ensure depth and methodological rigour. Five themes were identified: ‘Catch 22’, highlighting the helplessness parents experienced watching their injured daughters; ‘I (need to) trust these people’, referring to the parent–coach relationship; ‘Because a gymnast cannot rest for too long’, which reconnects to aspects of Nixon’s culture of risk; ‘It’s on me’, and ‘Walking on a thin line’, two themes related to the sense of responsibility and the role of ‘mediator’ parents needed to adopt when dealing with their daughters’ overuse injuries. Findings from the study are presented using ethnodrama, a form of creative analytical practice aiming to create an informative and evocative experience. This study extends existing research which has demonstrated a recent shift away from the simplistic perspective of sport parents being either good or bad (e.g., ‘pushy parents’), and provides a more rounded description of the challenges of dealing with overuse injuries in youth sport. It also adopts an innovative form of representation to reach and impact non-academic audiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Sport parents
• youth sport
• gymnastics
• ethnography
• creative analytical practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Francesca Cavallerio

Francesca Cavallerio is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University and Course Leader for BSc Sport Coaching and Physical Education. Her research interest focuses on using qualitative research methods to investigate youth elite athletes’ well-being in high performance environments and ways to support them through coaches and parents.

Ross Wadey

Ross Wadey is an Associate Professor in Sport Psychology at St Mary’s University and the Programme Director for MSc Applied Sport Psychology. Ross’s research involves working with external stakeholders (e.g., NHS, charities, and sporting and non-sporting organisations) to develop programmes of research that meet their needs. Currently, his research is at the forefront of advancing knowledge on three complimentary themes: well-being following amputation(s) and the role of physical activity; prevention of, and rehabilitation from, sporting injuries; and post-traumatic growth following adversity.

Christopher R. D. Wagstaff

Christopher R. D. Wagstaff is a Reader in Applied Psychology and Discipline Director in Sport Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. He is a BASES Sport and Exercise Scientist, BPS Chartered Psychologist, and HCPC Registered Practitioner Psychologist. Chris has published widely in the area of organisational psychology in sport, with projects relating to: emotions and attitudes, stress and well-being, organisational culture and change, and professional development and training.