A mixed-methods exploration of sport psychology and elite sport: cultural sport psychology in the Lion City

de Cruz, Nicholas Paul ORCID: 0000-0002-7799-8740 (2020). A mixed-methods exploration of sport psychology and elite sport: cultural sport psychology in the Lion City. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Guided by the principles of cultural sport psychology, this thesis explores the psychosocial issues surrounding elite sport and psychological practice in Singapore. It works towards attaining contextual intelligence to help sport psychologists better understand an athlete’s world, and subsequently provide services tailored towards supporting health, well-being, and performance of athletes. To achieve this, a sequential transformative mixed-method design utilising thematic and factor analysis informed by interpretivism was used. With a semi-structured interview guide and, following the collection and thematic analysis of qualitative data, findings were used to inform the construction of a quantitative questionnaire. After quantitative data collection and factor analyses, data visualisation was used to support the communication of complex statistical findings. It became apparent that elite sport did not have a firm foundation in Singapore due to the distortions within its elite ecosystem. For sport psychology, having been plagued by misconceptions, a clear professional identity needed to be established to support its advancement. Clearly, if elite sport and sport psychology is to progress in Singapore, there is a need to refine its elite ecosystem, regulate the practice of sport psychology, and work towards establishing a professional community centred around a culture of constructive exchange, debate and cooperation.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):