The role of organizational membership in overcoming dissonant sport activity identities

In this study, the authors used interviews to explore the identity formation processes for members of a national running group for Black women in the United States. Results indicate that members overcame their dissonance to running through their identification with the organization who they felt facilitated education, support, and the connection to existing members who served as identity models. Through their own negotiation strategies, they were able to form a salient identity around the activity, and contribute to a growing collective running identity for this group as a whole.
Source: Sport Management Review - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research