Doing Organizational Sport Psychology from a Family Systems Perspective

Abstract

Organizational Sport Psychology (OSP) as a subfield has expanded the focus of sport psychology beyond individual athletes to encompass entire sport systems. From this perspective, sport psychology practitioners (SPPs) work dynamically with a range of stakeholders (e.g., athletes, coaching staff, and management) and attend to the complex dynamics that influence performance and well-being across organizational levels. OSP knowledge can be used to develop systems-led approaches to practice, such as Family Systems Theory (FST). In this paper, we outline five key tenets of FST, namely context, structure, causality, communication, and change, as a starting point for SPPs seeking insights for how to adopt a systems-led approach using OSP principles. We then note some practice considerations for planning, assessment, influencing the environment, and re-contracting that are responsive to the relational and organizational intricacies inherent in sport. Lastly, we address issues of formal training, ethical awareness, and ongoing supervision for SPPs seeking to support individual and systemic goals.