Expanding socio-cultural identity research in sport psychology: The potential of athlete autobiographies

Abstract

Within the cultural sport psychology (CSP) genre, researchers have considered multiple and intersecting athlete identity expression to enhance sport participation, inclusion and performance. The aim with the present paper was to build upon, and expand a CSP research agenda that focuses on socially constructed identities, through exploring narrative inquiry in conjunction with athlete autobiographies as data (re)sources. To accomplish this aim, we outline the central tenets of narrative inquiry and convergences with CSP, followed by an overview of autobiography. We then draw on autobiography research from cultural studies and sport psychology in relation to two central areas of concern in CSP: gender issues with a focus on women and health and well-being issues in sport. We conclude with some aspirations for future research on autobiographies grounded in narrative inquiry, to expand a CSP research agenda.