PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 4 An Informational Interview with Dr. John Lesaine

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 6840 Current Issues in Sport Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

Sport Psychology and Social Identity

Sport psychology is often connected to enhancing an athlete’s physical abilities to optimize their performance. However, what is frequently overlooked are the various stressors an individual may experience before reaching the point of performing at a high level. The need to belong is particularly crucial during adolescence, as youth navigate changes in their self-concept and transition from the family environment to a more socially driven world of peers (Chamberlain et al., 2021). Interactions with friends and society significantly influence how individuals perceive themselves and how they perform in these social contexts.

State of the Field

Dr. John Lesiane has been teaching in the Department of Sport Professions at Newberry College since 2012, while also serving as a sport psychologist consultant for athletes. He holds a B.S. in Sport Management from Newberry College (2007), an M.S. in Sport Psychology from Capella University (2017), and an Ed.D. in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy (2015). During an informational interview, we discussed how sport psychology intersects with social identity in both youth and professional athletes.

Social identity refers to “the part of an individual’s self-concept which derives from their knowledge of their membership in a social group(s) and the emotional significance attached to that membership” (Chamberlain et al., 2021). An athlete’s self-identity can shape their perception of self-worth throughout their career. When NFL player Michael Sam and NBA player Jason Collins came out as the first openly gay athletes in their respective professional leagues, their actions encouraged acceptance of the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, these actions were accompanied by societal judgment and emotional distress. While their organizations have made efforts to create a comfortable environment, these athletes still grapple with the social identity crisis they face.

Dr. Lesiane shared that athletes often feel society will never fully understand their experiences.

Applications and Interventions

Dr. Lesiane’s preferred approach when working with athletes is “probing,” a method that involves asking a series of questions to build rapport and help identify the core issues. He asks two sets of questions to determine if the athlete’s mental struggles are sport-related or stem from off-field issues, such as family conflicts. His ultimate aim is to instill a foundation for positive self-talk. Self-talk, defined as statements or cue words directed at oneself, can be positive or negative and serve motivational or instructional purposes (Karamitrou et al., 2017). Positive self-talk promotes optimism and encouragement, whereas negative self-talk fosters pessimism and criticism (Lefebvre et al., 2022).

In discussing the field of sport psychology, Dr. Lesiane emphasized that mental fortitude is just as crucial as physical talent. He also highlighted the challenges athletes face when transitioning from their sports careers. This transition can be an isolating and intimidating experience, especially if it occurs prematurely (Edwards, 2021). As a former athlete turned coach, Dr. Lesiane found the career shift manageable because he could apply his athletic experiences to coaching. However, technological advancements have allowed athletes to explore their identities without direct interaction with a sport psychologist.

PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 4 An Informational Interview with Dr. John Lesaine

Dr. Lesiane, having worked as a sport psychology consultant and now at Newberry College, understands the importance of multicultural differences in shaping an athlete’s social identity. When asked if technology, such as social media, apps, and texting, could be beneficial in sport psychology, he responded affirmatively, provided it is used correctly. He referenced “gamification” as a method to help athletes achieve personal goals and build self-confidence (Cheema & Velez, 2021). However, he also warned of confidentiality risks when technology is used to document sessions with athletes, referencing the Association for Applied Sport Psychology’s (2021) ethical code, which emphasizes the need to respect confidentiality.

In sports, particularly football, men are expected to embody toughness and aggression. These expectations often conflict with the reality of more feminine individuals participating in these physically demanding sports (Kennedy et al., 2021). This can lead organizations to question the capabilities of athletes who do not fit traditional masculine stereotypes.

Developmental Plans and Goals

As an African American male, I recognize the emotional challenges I may face due to my skin color. My younger brother and I have experienced racial injustices while living in areas that were not always welcoming to minorities. These experiences serve as a reminder that not everyone will be accepting, and that’s okay. I now use this as motivation to assist others, regardless of their race, gender, or sexual orientation. Listening and expressing empathy are vital to ensuring that athletes never feel isolated. As O’Neil (2008) noted, men who strictly adhere to masculine gender norms are at a greater risk of attempting suicide due to the pressure to suppress their emotions.

To build a successful career in sport psychology, I plan to deepen my connection with athletes and expand my knowledge. The APA Division 47 developed a self-assessment checklist in 2005 to help practitioners evaluate their skills in sport psychology (Fletcher & Maher, 2013). When I asked Dr. Lesiane for advice on starting in the field, he emphasized the importance of being a “sponge” and learning from others while connecting theory to practice. He also noted that one challenge is the unrealistic expectation that sport psychology can solve all of an athlete’s problems. Without addressing the root causes, underlying issues will persist.

Conclusion

There remains significant work to be done to bridge the gap between social identity crises and sport psychology. The internal conflict between self-identity and societal expectations can push individuals to their limits. My goal is to equip athletes with the tools to succeed both on and off the field, ensuring they are seen as human beings with emotions, rather than conforming to societal and organizational pressures to fit in.

References

Chamberlain, J. J., Hall, C. R., & Benson, A. J. (2021). How team socialization processes relate to youth ice hockey players’ social identity strength and cohesion. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 10(4), 475–488. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000262.supp

Cheema, S. E., & Velez, J. A. (2021). Internalizing external goals: The relationship between causality orientations and digital badges. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications, 33(2), 94–101. https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000282

Edwards, D. (2021). The athlete transition: Adjusting to life after sports. Sports Health Journal, 19(2), 123–130.

Karamitrou, A., Stavrou, N. A., & Filotheou, A. (2017). The role of self-talk in competitive sports: A qualitative analysis of elite athletes’ experiences. Journal of Sport Psychology, 9(1), 45–58.

Kennedy, J., Carter, P., & Stevens, B. (2021). Affectionate behavior between men in football: Navigating masculinity and acceptance. Journal of Sport and Social Issues, 45(3), 203–220.