Abstract
Qualitative research approaches have become increasingly important in sport psychology. However, descriptive studies (using interviews and content analysis) have dominated the literature. As such, there is a need for greater diversification of approaches to generating knowledge within sport psychology. To address this gap in the literature, the purposes of this study were twofold: (1) present a novel methodological approach that may be useful for advancing qualitative research in sport psychology; and (2) present an exemplar study using the methodology. The exemplar study examined former youth athletes' experiences of sport and the meaning of these experiences in their current adult lives. Thorne's (2008) interpretive description methodology was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 former provincial level athletes (M age = 22.05 years). Analysis produced an overarching interpretive finding that participants were overscheduled during adolescence. Despite some negative experiences, participants were able to draw personally meaningful benefits from youth sport that influenced their young adult lives. Athletes also anticipated that their past experiences would influence their behaviors as future guardians of youth sport. The exemplar study demonstrates how interpretive description can be used and adds to the ongoing methodological sophistication that is occurring in the field of sport psychology.
