Teaching Well-Being Within the Context of Sport: The What, Why, How and for Whom!

Abstract

Burgeoning interest in the study of well-being as applied to sport has been evident in recent years. The purpose of this chapter is to detail pedagogical content tailored to teaching well-being within the context of sport through four evidence-based modules. Defining quality of life and well-being will serve as the focus of the first module (i.e., What). Once these key components are defined, consideration of subjective measures to identify how people experience their lives and are functioning are examined. The second module, will highlight Why consideration of well-being in sport are meaningful. Current research evidence linking sport participation to quality of life/well-being outcomes are highlighted. How well-being can be promoted (or thwarted) are examined in the third module through consideration of relevant psychological theories and interventions. Finally, the fourth module focuses on distinct groups of athletes (i.e., For Whom) including sport participants living with physical and intellectual disabilities, athletes undergoing injury rehabilitation and current/former athletes transitioning beyond sport.