Beyond health and happiness: An exploratory study Into the relationship between craftsmanship and meaningfulness of sport

Noora J. Ronkainen, Olli Tikkanen, Michael McDougall, Niels Feddersen, Richard Eirikur Taehtinen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Meaning in movement is an enduring topic in sport social sciences, but few studies have explored how sport is meaningful and for whom. The authors examined the relationships between demographic variables, meaningfulness of sport, and craftsmanship. Athletes (N=258, 61.6% male, age >= 18) from the United Kingdom completed a demographic questionnaire, the Work and Meaning Inventory modified for sport, and the Craftsmanship Scale. Older age and individual sport significantly correlated with higher craftsmanship. Craftsmanship and religion were two independent predictors of meaningfulness, but emphasized somewhat different meaning dimensions. Meaningfulness in sport seems to be related to how athletes approach their craft, as well as their overall framework of life meaning.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)345-354
Number of pages10
JournalSociology of Sport Journal
Volume38
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2021

Other keywords

  • Health
  • Happiness
  • Sports
  • Meaningfulness

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