The sisters of sport psychology: An examination of the professional black female experience

Abstract

Historically, the experiences of female practitioners have been overlooked within applied sport psychology literature, and thus, the field continues to be male-dominated. Despite calls for more racially diverse literature and utilization of diverse methodologies within sport psychology, studies pertaining to the female experience draw heavily from a White/Caucasian female narrative, further perpetuating the historical invisibility of women of color within the sport context. Using feminist methodology to inform the research process, the current study explored the professional experiences of women of African descent within applied sport psychology through a Black feminist lens. The results of the study demonstrate the integral influence of race and gender on one’s professional experiences in applied sport psychology, adding greater depth to the extant literature. Emergent themes included the interplay of personal and professional identity, a sense of responsibility to others and a vigilance with White colleagues. Implications and recommendations are provided, as well as directions for future research including increased representation within the larger sport and performance psychology field, a call for greater cultural awareness and humility within practice and research, and greater recognition of service as part of professional practice.