Abuse In Sport Research Articles

#WhatWouldYouDo? A cross-sectional study of sports medicine physicians assessing their competency in managing harassment and abuse in sports

ObjectivesTo assess the clinical competence of sports medicine physicians to recognise and report harassment and abuse in sports, and to identify barriers to reporting and the need for safeguarding education.MethodsWe...

Multiple Identities as Buffer or Catalyst? An Investigation of Psycho-Behavioral Effects of Sports Fans’ Exposure to Abusive Social Media Content

ABSTRACT Sports, traditionally pregnant with aggression and violence, are now a breeding ground for online abuse, where toxicity and malicious campaigns on social media have even afflicted national sports role models together with their huge fan base. Drawing on an online survey of 917 Chinese volleyball enthusiasts, this study investigated the psycho-behavioral outcomes of sports fans’ social media exposure to abusive messages about their idols through the lens of rejection-(dis)identification theory. Findings indicate that fans’ subjective frequency of negative social media exposure is significantly negatively associated with their sport-related well-being but has no direct connection with their offline sport engagement. The study particularly delves into the mediating roles of fans’ multiple identities, namely sport identity as a competitive mediator and national identity as a complementary mediator. Furthermore, with multi-group structural equation modeling and mediation analyses on gender sub-groups, gender differences were determined such that male fans, compared with female fans, were more likely to marshal their identity capital, which effectively enhanced their well-being and participation in sports. By linking classic theoretical propositions, this study offers a nuanced understanding of the sociopsychological consequences of online abuse in sports for ordinary social media users, contributing to both theoretical insights and practical implications.

Protocol Against Sexual Abuse, Harassment, Mistreatment And Discrimination In National Sports Activity: Chilean Model

Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the process of implementing a new legal protocol intended to prevent and sanction behaviors of harassment, abuse, discrimination, and mistreatment in the sports environment. Theoretical Framework: It is based on alarming statistics indicating a significant percentage of young athlete’s face abuse in sports globally. The literature examines power dynamics, the closeness between coaches and athletes, and the lack of effective protocols as factors facilitating abuse and sexual harassment. Method: A qualitative methodology was adopted to analyze official documents related to the Supreme Decree from the National Sports Institute and the Ministry of Sports of Chile, involving thematic content analysis to extract explicit and implicit meanings from legal texts. Results and Discussion: The findings revealed and highlighted the effectiveness of Decree 22, which introduces mandatory educational and preventive measures, and the designation of institutional representatives to manage complaints, demonstrating a significant advancement in sports legislation to protect athletes, particularly minors. Research Implications: The research underscores the necessity for a systematic and rights-based approach to protecting athletes, suggesting that the Chilean model could serve as a reference for other countries. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature on violence in sports by detailing the implementation of an innovative legislative protocol in Chile, offering insights into how such measures can be replicated and adapted globally.

Differences in Exercise Stress, Job Satisfaction, Intention to Quit Exercise, and Quality of Life According to the Psychological Abuse Experiences of Elite Male Athletes.

This study aimed to further understand psychological abuse in sports and contribute to the development of elite sports and athletes' persistent performance by identifying the causal effects of psychological abuse on elite athletes' exercise stress, job satisfaction, intention to quit exercise, and quality of life (QOL). Data were collected from 363 elite South Korean male athletes (ages ≥ 20 years) from August to September 2023. The independent variable for comparative analysis was the presence or absence of psychological abuse in elite male athletes by coaches. The participants were divided into two groups: a non-abuse-experienced group (Group 1) and an abuse-experienced group (Group 2). Participants' demographic and athletic background information (e.g., career and sport) were also collected. This study showed that the three factors (exercise stress, intention to quit exercise, and QOL) were higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. These findings provide a meaningful analysis of the impact of psychological abuse on the mental health, persistence, and overall QOL of elite male athletes that can be used to develop countermeasures and policies against psychological abuse that threatens the mental health of elite athletes.

Creating optimally safe and enjoyable youth sporting experiences within the United Kingdom

Considering recent research and reports, much attention has been given to understanding and addressing issues of abuse in sport. Similarly, attention has been given to enhancing children’s psychosocial experiences within sport. However, to-date, consideration of these two elements together, that is minimising abuse and enhancing enjoyment, has been minimal. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to explore perceptions of the process through which an optimally safe and enjoyable sporting experience can be created for young people. A Straussian grounded theory methodology was used to develop a substantive theory detailing the process through which an optimally safe and enjoyable sporting experience is created for young people in sport. Interviews were conducted with 19 young people, six parents, nine coaches, and five individuals in safeguarding roles. The interviews were analysed through open and axial coding, followed by theoretical integration. The resultant theory highlighted that establishing positive relationships between all young people and key individuals in a physically and developmentally safe environment was a fundamental requirement for fostering an optimally safe and enjoyable sporting experience. Achieving this required consideration of factors both in the immediate and broad sporting context. Specifically, support from sports organisations, access to continuing professional development opportunities, and a network of safeguarding experts are required in the broader environment. While within the immediate sporting environment, visibly displayed and appropriately implemented safeguarding policies and procedures; open, honest, and respectful interactions; shared goals and expectations between parents, coaches, and young people, and; trusting and supportive friendships with shared experiences are required.

Breaking the silence: Phenomenological unveiling of the hidden impact of abuse on Iranian athletes

Abuse is a social concern in all life affairs including sports. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experience of Iranian athletes who had been abused in sports. The participants were six athletes who had experienced abuse in sports. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, they were selected through the purposeful snowball sampling method. The results of the research showed seven main themes in the Iranian athletes’ experience of abuse in sports: (1) stigma, (2) suppressed hatred and anger, (3) psychological pendulum of continuing and abandoning sport, (4) trampled emotions, (5) ambiguity and imposed harassment, (6) victimhood, and (7) feelings of self-blame. Our findings indicate that abuse among athletes is a multifaceted issue that can take different angles. A better understanding of abuse in sports can help prevent and manage this phenomenon.

“Guarding Our National Volleyball Sheroes Against Social Media Malice”: Exploring the Rejection-Identification Process Among Chinese Women’s National Volleyball Team Fans

Sports-related online abuse has evolved into an inevitable issue and even those athletes and teams honored as national icons cannot be exceptional. This study explores how exposure to abusive content on social media affects sports fans’ behavior. More specifically, the researchers draw from social psychology and exam the rejection-identification model with fans’ team identity and hate for rival teams as parallel competitive mediators in the context of online abuse in sports. Using a sample comprising 917 fans of the Chinese Women’s National Volleyball Team (CWV), the study suggested that exposure to online abuse is linked to a decrease in fans’ intention to create content and advocate for their teams on social media. However, the identification with their idol and hatred towards the opposing groups are evidenced to buffer negative behavioral impacts, revealing an effective psychological mechanism among fans. These findings shed light on the dual psycho-behavioral impacts of online abuse on sports fans and provide practical implications for addressing online incivility and mitigating its toxic effects on sports communication and management.

Liminal Athletes: Abusive Hazing and Masculinities in Homosocial Team sports1

ABSTRACT In this study, we aimed to reveal the dimensions and qualities of violence and abuse in sports through hazing in Turkish sample. We also consider hazing, which involves inhuman and deviant behavior, through masculinities, homosociality, and liminality. We applied qualitative research method with social constructionist and pro-feminist approach. We used in-depth interview and visual painting application technique with a retrospective design. We carried out painting application and interviewed 28 athletes from team branches such as football, basketball, volleyball, rowing, water polo, underwater hockey and American football. We applied content analysis based on thematic coding and revealed 4 themes: 1) “foggy” and “hazy” locker rooms, 2) knowing your place as a rookie, 3) interfering with bodily integrity, 4) “prospective” members on the threshold. We can say that within the masculine culture of sports, liminal athletes can make the teams by experiencing a masculinity that is often subordinated to hegemonic masculinities. In this process, liminal athletes harden because they have been crushed so much; and as they harden, they crush those coming from below.

Metabolic Consequences of Anabolic Steroids, Insulin, and Growth Hormone Abuse in Recreational Bodybuilders: Implications for the World Anti-Doping Agency Passport

BackgroundHormonal doping in recreational sports is a public-health concern. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) promoted the creation of the Athlete Biological Passport, aiming to monitor athlete’s biological variables over time to facilitate indirect detection of doping. Detection tests for anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and growth hormone (GH) are available while insulin abuse cannot be revealed. We have determined in recreational bodybuilders the metabolic effects associated with different patterns of hormone abuse. All analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21.0 software (SPSS Chicago, IL).ResultsWe have assessed plasma concentrations of selected metabolic markers and fatty acid content in erythrocyte membranes of 92 male bodybuilders and in 45 healthy controls. Hormonal abuse was identified by anonymous questionnaires. 43% (%) of recruited bodybuilders regularly abused hormones, i.e., anabolic androgenic steroids (95%) often associated with GH (30%) and/or insulin (38%). HDL-cholesterol was lower in insulin and/or GH abusers. Alanine (ALT) and aspartic (AST) transaminases were greater in hormone abusing bodybuilders than in non-doping bodybuilders and controls. Insulin doping was selectively associated with increased plasma ALT-to-AST ratio. In erythrocyte membranes, elongase activity (i.e., stearic-to-palmitic ratio) was lower in insulin and/or growth hormone doping, whereas increased Δ-9 desaturase activity (i.e., palmitoleic-to-palmitic ratio) was selectively associated with insulin doping.ConclusionsIn conclusion, our study demonstrates that insulin and GH abuse are characterized by multiple alterations of specific metabolic markers. Although further studies are needed to test whether longitudinal monitoring of selected metabolic marker such as muscle contraction time, HDL levels, ALT-AST ratio as well as the activities of selected enzymes (e.g. Δ-9 desaturase and elongase), could contribute to the detection of insulin and GH abuse in sport.

The Perceived Instrumental Effects of Maltreatment in Sport (PIEMS) scale: Translation, (cross-)validation, and short-form development of the German version

Introduction
 Beliefs about the instrumental effects of maltreatment are a factor explaining abuse in sports. The availability of a valid and reliable German scale measuring these beliefs is essential for a better understanding of the concept. This article introduces and validates the German version of the Perceived Instrumental Effects of Maltreatment in Sport scale (PIEMS-G-14).
 Methods
 Study 1 examines the translation and evaluation of the scale structure, the development of a short version (PIEMS-G-6), and both the full and short versions’ construct validity and reliability in a sample of youth sports coaches (n = 628). Studies 2 (n = 444) and 3 (n = 423) focus on cross-validating the structure of the PIEMS-G-14 and PIEMS-G-6 in two independent samples of youth sports coaches and provide further evidence of the construct validity and reliability of the scales.
 Results
 Despite a reduction in the number of items compared to the original instrument, the PIEMS-G-14 exhibited robust measurement capabilities. The PIEMS-G-6, also demonstrated promising psychometric properties in assessing coaches’ beliefs about the instrumental effects of maltreatment. The reliability and validity of both the PIEMS-G-14 and PIEMS-G-6 were further supported by rigorous examination with two independent samples, providing compelling evidence of their construct validity.
 Discussion/Conclusion
 The PIEMS-G-14 and PIEMS-G-6 are suitable for use in assessing beliefs about the instrumental effects of maltreatment in German-speaking sports contexts.

«Safeguarding» in sport – the coaches’ perspective

No one should have to experience violence, discrimination, bullying or abuse in sport – not athletes, coaches nor officials. No one!

And You Association and its safeguarding activities

During Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games (YOG), an activity to prevent and raise awareness of abuse in sport was offered to young athletes in the Olympic villages of Lausanne and St-Moritz. The activity, called And You...?, was not only educational, but also research-oriented. The data collected enabled a better understanding of how young athletes recognize and evaluate the different types of violence they may encounter in their sporting environment. The And You Association was set up in the wake of this event as a legacy of the YOG, with the mission of informing, raising awareness and educating as many young athletes and their coaches as possible in French-speaking part of Switzerland about issues of abuse in sport. To this end, the booth created for the YOG is still used, but other formats (such as small-group workshops) have been developed to reach more people at the same time. An evolution of the YOG booth format is currently being considered, including the development of an application that could be used on connected ­tablets.

When Athletes Become Victims: The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Psychopathological Consequences of Interpersonal Violence in Sports

The “Magglingen protocols” and other cases of abuse in sports have attracted public attention to the problem of interpersonal violence against athletes. This article summarizes the scientific literature on the prevalence of different forms of interpersonal violence in sports, on personal, organizational, and cultural risk factors for victimization, and on psychopathological consequences of athlete abuse. In conclusion, recommendations for trauma-informed interdisciplinary prevention and intervention programs are outlined.

Project “Ethics in sport” – where do we stand and where is the journey taking us?

A sport that uncompromisingly places the well-being of people in sport at its heart is based on three strong pillars: well-coordinated prevention, mindful support structures and an independent reporting system. Swiss Sport Integrity is the reporting and investigative body for ethical violations and abuse in sport. Swiss Olympic and its members, the Federal Office of Sport FOSPO and the Swiss cantons ensure optimal support structures and implement targeted prevention measures.

Surviving child sexual abuse in women's artistic gymnastics: ‘It's beautiful, because had I stayed in the past, I wouldn’t have evolved as a person’

The USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal raised global awareness about child sexual abuse (CSA) in women's artistic gymnastics. The ensuing media coverage also centre-staged victims’ survivorship stories, a process that for many moved from dissociating, recognising and disclosing CSA to feeling comfort when connecting with survivors and accepting CSA as part of their life history. However, scholarship on what survivorship from CSA in sport entails, and importantly, what it means to athletes, is limited. In this article, we frame the survival of CSA using Arthur Frank’s socio-narratological conceptualisation of people being able to process the devastating consequences of a life-threatening and/or a life-altering event, and present the survivorship stories of two former gymnasts, Maria and Lucia (pseudonyms). For these two women, survivorship was facilitated by hearing others’ stories of sexual abuse, purposefully facing their CSA experiences and connecting with one another later in life to raise awareness about sexual abuse in sport. Thus, in addition to presenting Maria and Lucia's stories for the purpose of providing CSA victims with a survivorship narrative, we outline and reflect on the role hearing and telling stories have in CSA survivorship.

Sexual harassment and abuse in sport: some legal and criminological considerations

Sexual harassment and sexual abuse are not uncommon in the world of sports. Many athletes, especially female athletes, have been victims of violence, intimidation and abuse. For many years, victims remained silent and hid their experiences for fear of condemnation by society and the media, but recent trends show that the situation is improving. More and more athletes are speaking out against sexual harassment and abuse in the world of sport. From a legal point of view, the main feature of sexual harassment cases is that the burden of proof can be shifted to the accused. In criminal law, this mechanism raises concerns about a possible violation of the presumption of innocence. However, as international sports federations apply a lower standard of proof in disciplinary cases, this procedural feature is viewed favourably. At the same time, it should be noted that a lower standard of proof does not in any way mean that sexual harassment and abuse cases can be investigated with less responsibility or sensitivity. On the contrary, the legal and criminological specificity of this phenomenon implies that the boundaries between sexual abuse, sexual harassment, unprofessional conduct, and mere flirting must be clearly defined. Appropriate delimitation ensures, on the one hand, that perpetrators do not escape responsibility, even if it is relatively minor, and, on the other hand, protects the innocent against unfounded accusations.

Prevalence of interpersonal violence against children in sport in six European countries

BackgroundInvestigating prevalence of child abuse in sport is a relatively new field of research, born from the need for credible data on this phenomenon. ObjectiveTo establish prevalence rates of interpersonal violence against children in sport in six European countries. Participants and settingThe sample (N = 10,302) consists of individuals aged 18–30 who had participated in organized sport prior to age 18 (49.3 % male, 50 % female). MethodsA self-report questionnaire was developed (the Interpersonal Violence Against Children in Sport Questionnaire or IVACS-Q) to measure prevalence of five categories of interpersonal violence (neglect, psychological violence, physical violence, non-contact sexual violence, and contact sexual violence) against children who participate in sport. Validation testing (published separately) showed reasonable levels of convergent and divergent validity. Prevalence rates are calculated by national context, whether inside or outside sport, and by sex (male/female). ResultsPrevalence of IVACS inside sport differed by category: psychological violence (65 %, n = 6679), physical violence (44 %, n = 4514), neglect (37 %, n = 3796), non-contact sexual violence (35 %, n = 3565), and contact sexual violence (20 %, n = 2060). Relatively small geographical differences were found. Across all categories, males (79 %, n = 4018) reported significantly more experiences inside sport than females (71 %, n = 3653) (χ2(1) = 92.507, p < .000). Strong correlations were found between experiencing violence inside and outside sport. ConclusionsInterpersonal violence against children in sport is widespread. The sector's approach to prevention must recognize the risks to female and male children (and all children) and the additional vulnerabilities of abused children. Further comparative and longitudinal research within sport is required.

Descriptive study on beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of Malaysian elite athletes towards doping

Background: Little is known about the beliefs, attitudes and practices of Malaysian elite athletes towards doping, despite a consistent number of positive doping cases, some of which involve high-profile Malaysian athletes. In the Malaysian context, only studies on Malaysian student–athletes and nutritional supplement intake amongst Malaysian elite athletes have been carried out. Aims: As such, this study aimed to explore doping beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of Malaysian elite athletes, using a survey developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Methods: The survey, which was designed based on the Sport Drug Control Model for anti-doping organisations, contained 52 questions. Participants of the survey were 220 athletes (137 males and 83 females) with ages ranging between 15 and 45 years. Results: The results showed that 85% of Malaysian athletes did not intend to use performance-enhancing substances (PESs) even though it could provide an added advantage. It was also revealed that a large percentage of Malaysian elite athletes (89%) had never considered using PES, with a small percentage of athletes (2%) admitting that they had used PES knowingly throughout their sporting career. As for the intention to dope, 90% of the athletes felt confident that they could refuse the use of banned substances and overcome any pressure to consume. Conclusions: The findings will enable the mapping of the most suitable approach towards educating athletes about the effects of doping. The exploration is in alignment with the formation of the Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia in 2007, whose mission was to implement anti-doping rules and create strategies to improve awareness and education amongst athletes and coaches about substance abuse in sports. Down the road from education and mutual trust, it is possible to establish cleaner sports and zero doping in Malaysia.

The Management of Harassment and Abuse in Sports: A European Investigation of the Experts’ Opinions

The current study explored sports administrators’ perspectives on the management of harassment and abuse in sports and assembled them into issues that raise awareness and understanding of the factors that impinge on the promotion of healthy sports environments. Transcription, description, and analysis of standardized focus group discussions (FGD) involving key stakeholders and policymakers in five European countries using standardized questioning routes were carried out. The results pointed towards a lack of education and dissemination of relevant information, an absence of specific to sports legislation, an inexistent Code of Ethics, and the absence of mechanisms, for reporting perpetrators and supporting victims. The current recruitment strategies of sports personnel were also identified as obstacles that impinge the promotion of safe sports. The consistency of the findings across five European countries suggests that we have identified some key dimensions which impose the prevention of harassment and abuse in sports. which may consequently also help in understanding policy implementation failure.

Encountering unsettling stories of sport coaching violence: practitioner reflections on attending an interactive and immersive installation on the topic of abuse in sport

ABSTRACT This study examines sport practitioner experiences of an interactive installation, bringing to life athlete voices on the experience of abuse in sport. Guided by art-informed pedagogy, an immersive audio-visual experience was constructed. Sport practitioners, including sport coaches and sport psychologists, were invited to attend the exhibition. Sixty participants attended, 31 (n = 31, 15 females, 16 males, Mage = 27.4) provided post-event qualitative questionnaire reflections and seven (n = 7, 2 males, 5 females, Mage = 37.1) participated in semi-structured interviews to develop an in-depth insight into their experiences of the event. Our findings demonstrate that: (1) practitioners experienced the physical space of the event as “moving” and “difficult” both physically and emotionally, (2) the experience reverberated beyond the event, compelling participants to reflexively make sense of their emotions, and (3) empowered thoughts around practice and change. We reflect on the potential of interactive approaches to sharing data on sensitive topics within practitioner education.