Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective
Background: This study examines child abuse in sports environments through Ecological Systems Theory, revealing the multifaceted nature of abuse and the impact of environmental factors at various levels. Methods: With a study design using the phenomenology approach, a qualitative research method, da...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
|
| Series: | Children |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1487 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1846105263235399680 |
|---|---|
| author | Damla Güler Yağmur Güler Caner Cengiz Semiyha Tuncel Raci Karayiğit |
| author_facet | Damla Güler Yağmur Güler Caner Cengiz Semiyha Tuncel Raci Karayiğit |
| author_sort | Damla Güler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study examines child abuse in sports environments through Ecological Systems Theory, revealing the multifaceted nature of abuse and the impact of environmental factors at various levels. Methods: With a study design using the phenomenology approach, a qualitative research method, data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 11 Turkish participants, including 5 athletes, 4 coaches, and 2 academics with coaching experience in Sports Sciences. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data, categorizing findings into four levels: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. Results: Findings show that at the microsystem level, children are exposed to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, largely through interactions with coaches and teammates. Physical abuse includes non-contact forms, like dehydration and forced training, and contact abuse, such as violence from coaches and peers. Emotional abuse manifests through psychological pressures and verbal attacks, creating a toxic environment. At the mesosystem level, excessive parental trust in coaches reduces oversight, leaving children vulnerable. In the exosystem, inadequate supervision of coaches and a lack of response to abuse cases by sports clubs worsen the issue. At the macrosystem level, cultural norms and societal attitudes normalize abuse, especially affecting female athletes. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions, including family awareness, stricter coach oversight, and robust policies within sports organizations to protect children. By emphasizing the interaction of individual, familial, and societal factors, this research underscores the importance of collective efforts to ensure safer sports environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-26bd4956e22942d5b16d5a7597efe6cd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-26bd4956e22942d5b16d5a7597efe6cd2024-12-27T14:17:51ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-12-011112148710.3390/children11121487Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems PerspectiveDamla Güler0Yağmur Güler1Caner Cengiz2Semiyha Tuncel3Raci Karayiğit4Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara 06830, TurkeyDepartment of Recreation, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Yalova University, Yalova 77200, TurkeyDepartment of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara 06830, TurkeyDepartment of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara 06830, TurkeyDepartment of Coaching Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ankara University, Ankara 06830, TurkeyBackground: This study examines child abuse in sports environments through Ecological Systems Theory, revealing the multifaceted nature of abuse and the impact of environmental factors at various levels. Methods: With a study design using the phenomenology approach, a qualitative research method, data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 11 Turkish participants, including 5 athletes, 4 coaches, and 2 academics with coaching experience in Sports Sciences. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data, categorizing findings into four levels: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. Results: Findings show that at the microsystem level, children are exposed to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, largely through interactions with coaches and teammates. Physical abuse includes non-contact forms, like dehydration and forced training, and contact abuse, such as violence from coaches and peers. Emotional abuse manifests through psychological pressures and verbal attacks, creating a toxic environment. At the mesosystem level, excessive parental trust in coaches reduces oversight, leaving children vulnerable. In the exosystem, inadequate supervision of coaches and a lack of response to abuse cases by sports clubs worsen the issue. At the macrosystem level, cultural norms and societal attitudes normalize abuse, especially affecting female athletes. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for comprehensive interventions, including family awareness, stricter coach oversight, and robust policies within sports organizations to protect children. By emphasizing the interaction of individual, familial, and societal factors, this research underscores the importance of collective efforts to ensure safer sports environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1487child abuse in sportecological systemsphysicalemotional and sexual abuseneglect |
| spellingShingle | Damla Güler Yağmur Güler Caner Cengiz Semiyha Tuncel Raci Karayiğit Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective Children child abuse in sport ecological systems physical emotional and sexual abuse neglect |
| title | Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective |
| title_full | Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective |
| title_short | Investigating Child Abuse in Sports: An Ecological Systems Perspective |
| title_sort | investigating child abuse in sports an ecological systems perspective |
| topic | child abuse in sport ecological systems physical emotional and sexual abuse neglect |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1487 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT damlaguler investigatingchildabuseinsportsanecologicalsystemsperspective AT yagmurguler investigatingchildabuseinsportsanecologicalsystemsperspective AT canercengiz investigatingchildabuseinsportsanecologicalsystemsperspective AT semiyhatuncel investigatingchildabuseinsportsanecologicalsystemsperspective AT racikarayigit investigatingchildabuseinsportsanecologicalsystemsperspective |