Examining the applied value of narratives for professional practice: An exploration of sports injury narratives in action

Heeding calls to expand the resources and approaches to psychologically support injured athletes, this study explored the applied value of socio-cultural sports injury narratives for athletes, coaches, and practitioners. Informed by narrative inquiry and pedagogy, six evidence based sports injury narratives were shared and discussed with 69 elite participants (i.e., athletes, coaches, and practitioners) across 11 focus group interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis identified five themes: (1) Forewarned is Forearmed, (2) Building Blocks to Constructing Meaning(s), (3) Fostering Interpersonal Connections, (4) A Common Language, and (5) Promoting Communal Responsibility. Overall, these themes advance empirical understandings of how narratives can inform professional practice by supporting injured athletes across personal (e.g., meaning making), social (e.g., enhancing interpersonal relationships), and cultural (e.g., promoting communal responsibility) levels.