The phenomenological analysis of psychospiritual transformation in athletic retirement and everyday narcissism in former athletes
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Date
2016
Authors
Wilkowich, McMillan
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education
Abstract
The present research investigates the phenomenological experience of athletic retirement, while also considering narcissism’s role within the transition process. Six participants with an elite sport background were recruited and interviewed. The analysis was conducted using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach. The emerging themes were interpreted from a Transpersonal perspective through reference to Almaas’s (1996) Transformation of Narcissism. The identified themes unfolded within four phases: The Athletic Dream, A Leap into Athletic Mortality, The Painful Journey of an Ex-Athlete, and Transformational Healing Through Awareness. Central to the research, a prominent theme involving athletic retirement as an opportunity of healing emerged from the data. The findings from the study provide valuable implications for future studies. Further examination into the transformative process of athletic retirement is encouraged.
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Keywords
athletic retirement , narcissism , transpersonal , transformative