Sudden Withdrawal from Skydiving: A Case Study Informed by Reversal Theory's Concept of Protective Frames

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to examine the motivational and emotional experiences of an accomplished skydiver and how this experience changed as the result of a fellow skydiver's accidental death. Using qualitative methods, the research utilized an opportunistic sample, examined retrospective experiences, and took the form of a case study. A semi-structured interview was undertaken with the athlete, and an analysis of the interview transcript, informed by reversal theory and its concept of protective frames, carried out. As a result of the accident, the athlete became severely anxious and depressed, withdrew from skydiving, was unable to continue working, and even contemplated suicide. This study adds to the literature by being the first to use reversal theory concepts to explain an athlete's sudden withdrawal from a risk sport and to make reversal theory recommendations for appropriate counseling strategies for dealing with the athlete's problems.