Elite Female Swimmers' Experiences of Emotional Abuse Across Time

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate athletes' experiences of emotional abuse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 retired, elite, female swimmers and data were analyzed inductively using a grounded theory approach. Results revealed that the athletes experienced emotional abuse in the coach-athlete relationship and that these experiences varied across an athlete's career. The same emotionally abusive behaviours were experienced differently at various stages of an athlete's career. Furthermore, an athlete's affective response to emotional abuse was dependent on the athlete's perceived performance and cultural acquiescence, as reflected in the phases of normalization and rebellion. A model of the process by which athletes experience emotional abuse over time is proposed. Implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations are made for future study.