City Research Online

Abstract

Research on lived experiences of female amateur boxers has increased over the years; however, the literature is still sparse. There is limited understanding of how female amateur boxers consciously or unconsciously use and view their bodies. This qualitative study sought to address the gap in the literature by exploring the embodied experiences of female amateur boxers in the UK. It aims to shed light on how boxing influences female amateur boxers' self-perceptions, including the ways in which their bodies exist in, and interact with, the world. To explore the embodied experiences of female amateur boxers, semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from eight female amateur boxers. An interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Four superordinate themes and fourteen subthemes emerged from the data analysis. The first superordinate theme, ‘Mind-Body Dualism’, captures how amateur boxing impacts the relationship between body and mind. The second superordinate theme, ‘Boxing as self-healing’, explores the links between embodiment and wellbeing. In the third superordinate theme, ‘Having a female body in male spaces’, participants describe their experience of being female in a male dominated sport. The final superordinate theme, ‘Impact of Boxing on Relationships’, explores how boxing makes an impact on other areas of life, such as on social life. The findings are explored in connection to previous existing research. Clinical implications for counselling psychology and other relevant professionals as well as recommendations for further research are discussed.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology

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