Understanding The Service Models Of Sport Psychology Consultants Preparing For 2004 Olympic Games In Taiwan And Hong Kong: A Qualitative Approach

A qualitative approach was used to investigate the status of sport psychology services delivered preparing for 2004 Olympic Games in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In-depth interviews were conducted with 5 sport psychology consultants who delivered sport psychology service for Taiwan Olympic Teams and 4 sport psychology consultants who delivered sport psychology services for Hong Kong Olympic Teams. The interviews focused on the process of sport psychology services and the knowledge adopted in the processes. All sport psychology consultants'interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the qualitative data were inductively analyzed following the procedures and techniques of grounded theory suggested by Strauss and Corbin (1990). The components emerging from the analysis of both areas consisted of (1) establishment of relationship with team, (2) education, (3) diagnosis of the potential problems, (4) development of plan and program, (5) implementation of plan and program or training, (6) evaluation and modification of the plan and program or training, (7) evaluation of the service, (8) termination, (9) influencing factors of sport psychology consultants, (10) influencing factors of coaches, (11) influencing factors of athletes, and (12) other factors. These components were further developed into two models representing the sport psychology services in Taiwan and Hong Kong separately. Researcher found that there were some differences between two models according to the results of the comparison of them, and the differences are mainly derived from the roles (full-time or part-time) of sport psychology consultants.