European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 7, 3-12 (2014) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2014.006

EXTREME SPORT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES (SCI)

Suzanna Tangen, Martin Kudlacek
1 Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven, Belgium
2 Palacky University of Olomouc, Czech Republic

This study aims to explore the meaning extreme sport have to the reconstruction of identity in persons who have sustained spinal cord injuries (SCI). Psychological well- being in persons with spinal cord injury is of crucial matter. Suicide rate in persons with SCI are reported to be three times higher than the average population. This study have a qualitative design with a phenomenological approach, where 4 extreme skiers, recruited from the "WY All Mountain Ski Camp" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA where interviewed. Data triangulation consists of 5 additional sources of data, instructor interview, voluntary assistant interview, field journal, including reflexive research diary, and pilot interview. Data where analyzed by color-coding to identify reoccurring themes. Findings show a consistent loss of identity among participants and the need for recovery was prominent. However, the risk factor specifically in extreme sport cannot say to significantly affect the reconstruction of identity in persons with SCI. Other elements than the risk factor show significance for identity reconstruction, such as social aspects and professional identity. Sports play a highly important role in the process of identity reconstruction, as to regain their normal self, pre injury. Nevertheless, considering all participants of this study obsess an adventurous personality with background in risky activities, and the need to regain the same activities as engaged in pre injury is crucial for the identity reconstruction, one can say extreme sport does affect the identity reconstruction in the participants.

Keywords: Spinal cord injury (SCI), extreme sport, identity, identity reconstruction, risk, thrill seeking, monoskiing

Published: July 31, 2014  Show citation

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Tangen, S., & Kudlacek, M. (2014). EXTREME SPORT AND RECONSTRUCTION OF IDENTITY IN PERSONS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES (SCI). European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 7(2), 3-12. doi: 10.5507/euj.2014.006
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