Hayes_Filo_Geurin_Riot_2020_SMR.pdf (329.34 kB)
An exploration of the distractions inherent to social media use among athletes
journal contribution
posted on 2020-02-26, 14:06 authored by Michelle Hayes, Kevin Filo, Andrea GeurinAndrea Geurin, Caroline RiotSocial media present athletes with a number of benefits and challenges. As a result, various sport stakeholders have debated appropriate social media use among athletes at major sport events, with some suggesting that using these platforms can have negative consequences. The purpose of this research was to examine the elements of social media that athletes perceive to be distracting during major sport events and the practices they undertake to address such distractions. Interviews with Australian elite athletes (N = 15) were conducted and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal several elements associated with distraction, including positive and unwanted messages, branding pressures, and competitor content. Athletes reported two key practices that assisted in overcoming distractions, including switching off and handing over the control of their social media accounts. The findings extend distraction-conflict theory to athlete social media research, while presenting a preliminary conceptual model to assist researchers in further understanding the potential impact of social media distractions on athletes. Opportunities for sport practitioners to develop or implement social media education programs are described.
Funding
Griffith Institute for Tourism Data Collection Support Scheme
History
School
- Loughborough University London
Published in
Sport Management ReviewVolume
23Issue
5Pages
852-868Publisher
Elsevier BVVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© Sport Management Association of Australia and New ZealandPublisher statement
This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Sport Management Review and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2019.12.006.Acceptance date
2019-12-27Publication date
2020-02-16Copyright date
2020ISSN
1441-3523Publisher version
Language
- en
Depositor
Dr Andrea Geurin. Deposit date: 25 February 2020Usage metrics
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