A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of Dimensions And Concepts Of Abuse In Sports

The aim of this study was an investigation of dimensions and concepts of abuse in sports; to this end, a qualitative meta-analysis was conducted. A number of 27 papers that have been related to abuse and maltreatment were selected as the sample. Data were analyzed based on Timulak`s thematic analysis and meaning units. Data analysis revealed that abuse in sports has three categories: (a) physical abuse, (b) psychological abuse, and (c) social abuse. Physical abuse has two dimensions, i.e. visible and invisible. Psychological abuse has two dimensions, i.e. neglect, verbal and nonverbal abuse. Social abuse has four dimensions, i.e. financial, organizational, discrimination, and cultural. As a conclusion, the research claimed that visible physical abuse is a common phenomenon in sports. Because of a lack of researches on abuse in sports, there is a little knowledge about abuse and its several dimensions in sports.