Showing papers by "Brett Smith published in 2021"

Qualitative research in six sport and exercise psychology journals between 2010 and 2017: An updated and expanded review of trends and interpretations

Abstract: Descriptive reviews of qualitative research across two decades – 1990–1999 (Culver, D., Gilbert, W., & Trudel, P. (2003). A decade of qualitative research published in sport psychology journals: 19...

Disability, the communication of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and ableism: a call for inclusive messages

Abstract: This editorial is a call for action to make physical activity and sedentary behaviour messages inclusive. It focuses on disability. Numerous definitions of disability and ways of identifying as disabled exist across the globe. For example, some people, cultures, organisations and governments prefer for certain reasons to use the term ‘disabled people’, whereas others prefer ‘people with disabilities’ or ‘people with an impairment’.1 Respecting difference in terminology used around the world,1 we align with the social model and thus use the term ‘disabled people’ throughout this editorial. Disability refers to people who have long-term physical (eg, spinal cord injury), sensory (eg, visual impairment), cognitive (eg, learning difficulties) and/or mental impairments (eg, depression), which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.2 Despite the benefits of physical activity, many disabled people live insufficiently active lifestyles. They are also more likely to be inactive when compared with non-disabled people.2 Recent UK physical activity guidelines for disabled people recommended doing strength activities on 2 or more days a week and at least 150 min of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week for substantial health gains.2–4 It was also stressed in the UK guidelines that some physical activity is better than nothing as small amounts bring health benefits and the 150-min message alone can be daunting, especially for disabled adults who are mostly inactive.1–4 The new WHO global guidelines for physical activity and disability5 echoed the UK guidelines, providing support for its recommendations. To maximise the impact of national and global physical activity guidelines, and reduce participation inequalities, inclusive and effective communication …

Conventional and postqualitative research an invitation to dialogue.

Abstract: This article explores a question that was left mostly unanswered in a recent special issue of Qualitative Inquiry surveying the field of postqualitative research: How can conventional and post qual...

Consumer ‘app-etite’ for workers' rights in the Australian ‘gig’ economy

Abstract: The emergence of the ‘gig’ economy is disrupting industries, reshaping the organisation of work and the terms and conditions under which work is carried out. In effect, the terms and conditions of ‘gig’ work mean that minimum standards, for example minimum wages, that are attached to work in advanced capitalist economies like Australia, regularly do not apply to ‘gig’ work. This study explores the attitudes and understandings of Australian consumers towards work conditions and entitlements in app-based food-delivery services. The study explores whether consumers are willing to pay to ensure ‘gig’ workers receive equivalent minimum entitlements and whether an awareness-raising treatment influences their moral consumption behaviours. This is achieved by employing a survey and a choice experiment to assess moral decision-making of consumers. To date, a moral dimension in discrete choice models has been dominated by sustainability in transport, discussed from the perspective of personal lifestyle or adherence to social norm. The study's focus on consumers and their concern for worker entitlements, therefore, makes a unique contribution. Our findings demonstrate that consumers have a very low awareness of worker entitlements in the ‘gig’ economy. While the choice experiment highlights that a significant proportion of the treatment group was willing to pay more to increase the earnings and conditions of food-delivery workers, at the same time it found that their willingness to pay would unlikely result in a sustained improvement in working conditions and lead to ‘decent work’ standards. The study further highlights that bridging the boundary between choice modelling methodologies and industrial relations research offers potential insights into the moral motivations behind decisions made by industrial relations actors.

'It's not a part of me, but it is what it is': the struggle of becoming en-wheeled after spinal cord injury.

Abstract: Purpose: Many people who experience spinal cord injury become long-term wheelchair users. This article addresses the process of becoming en-wheeled through the case example of a disabled man called Patrick. Design: An intrinsic case study informed by posthumanist developments was used. Within this design, Patrick and his manual wheelchair were the entangled participants of the inquiry. Methods: Interviews and fieldwork observation with Patrick were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using the posthumanist notion of ‘assemblages’. Results: The results illuminate Patrick’s struggle of negotiating a new embodied selfhood that includes the wheelchair. Patrick engaged in ableist rehabilitation after spinal cord injury to recuperate the capacity to walk and break his connection with the wheelchair. After extensive treatment of his body, he reluctantly assumed his cyborg or posthuman condition. Conclusion: The analysis and discussion resulted in a theoretical frame that presents the notions of humanist and posthumanist enwheelment as two directions of a continuum. The paper offers a useful tool for understanding and addressing enwheelment plus other cyborgification processes. We advocate for its acceptance into the disability studies and rehabilitation practice repertoire.

The café talk: a discussion of the process of developing a creative non-fiction

Abstract: Humans are story-telling creatures, and our qualitative research needs to reflect this. In this paper we openly discuss our struggles, progress, and experiences with thematic narrative analysis and...

Introducing postqualitative inquiry in sport and exercise psychology

Abstract: In recent years, qualitative research has gained popularity and legitimacy in sport and exercise psychology. However, this scientific discipline has not yet paid attention to postqualitative inquir...

Qualitative research in sports studies: challenges, possibilities and the current state of play

Abstract: Qualitative social scientific research in sport, exercise and other contemporary forms of physical movement has made considerable strides in recent years, such that it is not an unreasonable claim ...

Disabled athlete activism in South Korea: a mixed-method study

Abstract: Activism is defined as problem-solving action to bring about political or social change. While research on disabled athlete activism is emerging in Western cultures, no research has been conducted ...

Considerations for making informed choices about engaging in open qualitative research

Abstract: There is currently little guidance that exists for researchers in the sport and exercise sciences on open qualitative research practices. The purpose of paper is to provide researchers with guidanc...

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) carsharing and driverless vehicles: Attitudes and values of vehicle owners

Abstract: Within the growing suite of shared mobility options, peer-to-peer (P2P) carsharing provides an opportunity for vehicle owners to rent out their vehicle to other individuals through informal arrangements or more typically through a facilitating company/broker. Despite the potential to offset some of the costs of vehicle ownership and contribute more broadly to the shared economy, barriers remain including that of sharing one’s own vehicle with a stranger. Driverless vehicles (DVs) provide potential to partially address this barrier to carsharing, but it is unknown if this will be embraced by vehicle owners per se and to what extent this might be influenced by their personal characteristics and values. Within this context, the current paper evaluates the joint attitudes of 751 Australian vehicle owners towards sharing of their current vehicle and embracing DVs. Overall, while most respondents remain concerned about DV technology, they understand the benefits, expressing higher concerns about carsharing. Segmentation procedures are used to profile participants on key dimensions including their willingness-to-purchase a DV, demographics, personality and psychological constructs and contextual factors. Four classes of vehicle owners are identified with 14% being ambivalent to sharing and DVs, 14% highly concerned, 48% being ‘on the fence’ and 24% expressing positive sentiments towards these new forms of mobility. Ambivalence appears to be more pronounced with significantly older, male participants who are less agreeable and conscientious, while concern seems to be a trait of older females more adhering to security, tradition, conformity, and benevolence. Conversely, positive sentiments are associated with participants who are slightly older, male, more open-minded, while less benevolent and traditional. Findings highlight the importance of offering tailored packages of information, messages and services that appeal to the personal benefits and cost savings for some segments of the community, but which highlight the altruistic benefit of sharing for others.

Training Healthcare Professionals on How to Promote Physical Activity in the UK: A Scoping Review of Current Trends and Future Opportunities.

Abstract: What physical activity (PA) training do current and future healthcare professionals (HCPs) receive in the UK? How is PA training delivered to them? The present scoping review looks at existing evidence to respond these questions. Seven databases were searched: Medline, SportDISCUS, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Review Database, and Web of Science. Grey literature sources and key stakeholders were consulted. Studies were screened for inclusion, data were extracted and charted, and findings were synthesised according to the two research questions. Of the 3535 identified studies, 25 were included. The results show that no standardised approach was used to deliver PA promotion in HCPs training. PA training content was chiefly underpinned by an epidemiological approach. Online delivery of content predominated in continuing professional development training, whereas in undergraduate healthcare curriculum, delivery strategies varied. Overall, the process of embedding PA in HCPs’ curriculum and culture is ongoing. In addition to highlighting what is present within healthcare education, this study identifies further opportunities. Potential avenues include extending PA promotion into other workforces, including social workers.

The Influence of Confucianism on Para-Sport Activism

Abstract: Academics and sport organizations have recently recognized Para-sport as a powerful platform for disability activism. However, little attention has been given to Para-sport activism in non-Western cultures. This study explored the influence of Confucianism on South Korean Para-sport activism. Data were collected through interviews conducted with four stakeholders from the Korea Paralympic Committee and 18 Para-athletes. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, the authors crafted five themes corresponding to Confucian values: position hierarchy, age hierarchy, parent–child relationship, factionalism, and collectivism. All values had the capacity to encourage and discourage participants toward engaging in activism. These findings contribute to the field of Cultural Sport Psychology by highlighting a multitude of cultural factors affecting Para-sport activism. Practical suggestions to promote Para-sport activism are offered, including sociocultural and organizational legacy.

Making sense of humour among men in a weight-loss program: A dialogical narrative approach

Abstract: Humour appears to be an important aspect of health-promoting efforts for some men. A better understanding of the role humour plays in men’s health contexts may provide insight into the optimal design of health interventions for men. In this study, we explored the role banter, humour that blurs the line between playfulness and aggression, plays for men in a men’s weight loss context. We applied dialogical narrative analysis to thirty interviews conducted with men involved in a men’s weight-loss program that leverages competition to drive weight loss. Banter served several functions for men in the program, including allowing them to determine their social position during early group formation, feel good, develop camaraderie, experience respite, provide male inter-personal support in a counter-intuitive way, and ‘be themselves’. Men could use banter as a tool to develop resilience for themselves, but could also adapt their approach to use banter as a means of providing support for others. Banter could also cause trouble, through conflict and misunderstandings, primarily understood through a lens of narratives of progressiveness, inclusiveness, and a ‘changing culture’. Banter could do harm, by positioning oneself against certain characteristics, and as a tool to get under people’s skin. However, an approach-orientation to one’s problems may allow misunderstandings that arise due to banter to lead to enhanced group cohesion. Intervention developers ought to explicitly address the potential for banter (and humour more broadly) to have positive and negative effects in men’s health contexts.

Benefits, Barriers and Facilitators to Golf Participation Among Disabled People: Identifying Opportunities to Increase Uptake and Foster Inclusion

Abstract: Golf can have a positive impact upon physical and psychosocial health. However, it is not widely promoted to and for disabled people. In response, this review explores the benefits, barriers, and facilitators to golf participation among this population. 18 empirical studies, research reports, or other forms of grey literature documenting golf in relation to health for disabled people were identified. The results suggest that golf can yield a variety of health benefits for disabled people, of which we need stronger evidence. Sometimes, personal, social, and environmental barriers might prevent them to obtain such benefits. These include lack of adequate services, accessibility issues, classism, and ableism. Little evidence was found regarding facilitators. However, social interactions as well as free courses and equipment appear crucial to support regular participation. Despite evidence limitations, multiple recommendations are compiled that might be useful to orient future practice and policymaking. Overall, the article provides a modest but accessible resource to help transforming golf into a more inclusive and pleasurable activity for disabled people.

Young Australians are out for control: reconciling flexibility, security, and the next generation of labour

Abstract: Debates over workplace flexibility and security sit at the heart of ongoing tensions between industrial relation actors in Australia. The deployment of organisational strategies focused on labour m...