Integrating Social Work with Sport Communications
A Scoping Review and Directions for Future Research and Practice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33043/8xjz9ugexx6Abstract
Athletes, media outlets, and sport organizations are increasingly discussing mental health via sport communication platforms. Research regarding mental health and sport communication from athletes publicly discussing personal diagnoses or endorsing mental health services, teams promoting mental health campaigns, or media coverage of those topics has followed. However, much of the literature lacks the perspective of mental health professionals, specifically social workers. Therefore, the purpose of this work was two-fold: (a) review the literature at the intersection of mental health and sport communications, and (b) recommend future directions to involve sport social work scholars and practitioners. A scoping review included 27 articles published since 2000. A thematic analysis of the findings resulted in construction of 4 themes: (1) positive and neutral sentiments toward athlete disclosures, (2) difference in response or coverage based on outlet, (3) changes in media narrative and sport culture, and (4) the role of race and gender in disclosures. Theoretical and methodological gaps were also identified along with future directions for the sport social work field. Specifically, because of the multisystem impact of communication efforts and concerns around ineffective mental health messaging in sport communications, social workers should focus on this burgeoning field of research and practice.
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