A FAMILY SYSTEMS APPROACH TO THE RANKED JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYER
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Authors
Rakela, Judy Newman
Issue Date
1997
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Families and coaches have a central and formative impact on the lives of ranked junior tennis players. All together, they form an interlinked and interdependent system which creates a basis for participation in the consuming pursuit of athletic excellence. There has been little or no research done on assessing the systemic dynamics of these central relationships on ranked junior tennis players. In this study, structural family systems theory is the tool used to uncover and explore the important relationship patterns which effect a junior player's life. From a family systems perspective, the individual is looked at in his or her familial-social context, and the interdependency of the people involved is highlighted. Three cases are presented in-depth. The cases were compiled through naturalistic observations and extensive interviews. The data were analyzed for themes relevant to structural family systems theory. From the findings, there consistently appears to be one "enmeshed" (or dysfunctionally intertwined) parent with the junior player. This parent is the one who takes the child to most practices and tournaments and unknowingly places significant pressure on the athlete. Also, the individual family members and the family as a whole have been found to make considerable sacrifices on behalf of the junior's tennis--a fact the athlete is aware of. This disproportionate attention and use of family resources can create a distinct and often dysfunctional family system. The implications of this research include the possibility of designing therapeutic interventions for the problematic family systems that negatively effect so many of our young athletes. The author's background in high-level tennis affords her a first-hand view of the pressing need for such interventions. Coaches, parents and especially sport psychologists could benefit greatly from the insights provided by a family systems approach to their understanding and treatment of these athletes.