A Qualitative Exploration of a Biopsychosocial Profile for Experiencing Sexual Harassment and Abuse in Sports

Mercede van Voorthuizen, Irene Renate Faber, Daphne van de Bongardt, Nicolette Schipper-van Veldhoven*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore a biopsychosocial profile for experiencing sexual harassment and abuse in sports. A qualitative approach was used; data were collected from semi-structured in-depth interviews covering seven cases of sexual harassment and abuse in sports in the Netherlands. The interview transcripts were analysed and aligned with the biopsychosocial model. The results reveal biological (i.e., aged under 18, sex, and sexual orientation), psychological (i.e., high degree of naivety, altruism and agreeableness, low self-esteem, perfectionism, emotional or disorders) and social factors (i.e., poor or negative relationship with parents, social pressure to perform, incest at home, social isolation, elite sports and too much power of a single trainer/coach) that can contribute to the risk of experiencing sexual harassment and abuse in sports. These findings provide important directions for prevention and recognition in sports practice and future research.

Original languageEnglish
Article number309
Number of pages13
JournalSocial Sciences
Volume11
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 by the authors.

Research programs

  • ESSB PSY

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