Events
Oral PhD Defense: Bethany Brausen
Flourish-Driven Coaching: Investigating the Thoughts, Beliefs, and Practices of NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Coaches Who Seek to Help Their Student-Athletes Flourish
Advisor: Alexandre Ardichvili
In person: Campbell Hall 1
Online via Zoom: z.umn.edu/Brausen
This dissertation explores how NCAA Division I women's ice hockey coaches foster environments that promote athlete flourishing. Grounded in the principles of positive psychology and human flourishing, this study investigates the core attributes and practices of “flourish-driven” coaches. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with four coaches and eight of their current athletes. Observational site visits and document analysis provided additional layers of triangulation. The analysis revealed five unifying qualities among flourish-driven coaches: (1) shared personal and professional values, (2) a commitment to continuous learning, (3) a person-centered coaching approach, (4) intentional team culture-building, and (5) support of athletes’ intrinsic motivation. Additionally, the study identified that each coach embodied a unique distinguishing factor and actively pursued a flourish-driven life, reinforcing their effectiveness. The resulting theoretical model contributes to the literature by integrating concepts from positive psychology, leadership theory, and sport coaching. Implications for leadership development within both athletic and organizational contexts are discussed.
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