Examining the Sociocultural Experiences of Cherokee Nation Citizens in Athletic Competition and Sport

<p>The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the sociocultural experiences of Cherokee adults in athletic competition and sport. Specifically, following a qualitative design, fifteen participants were interviewed about their personal experiences in athletic competition and sport while growing up in rural Oklahoma. Interviews were open-ended and followed a semi-structured script of questions with additional probes. Once completed, the recorded interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed. The data revealed six axial codes and three selective codes. Cherokee culture, psychoSocial identity, and athletic competition were the three major selective codes discovered in this study. Qualitative analyses revealed that participants have lived in an environment that is conducive for athletic growth, cultural awareness, and Social exploration. The family, schools, and communities offer simple, yet stable surroundings. Athletic and Social identities are formed at early ages and are fostered by the close knit Cherokee culture.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Year dc:date.available

2016

Author dc:creator

• Merrie, Michael Dewayne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Lirgg, Cathy D.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gorman, Dean R.
• Calleja, Paul

• Social sciences
• Psychology
• Health and environmental sciences
• Education
• American indians
• Athletics
• Competition
• Native Americans
• Sociocultural
• Sports
• Social Psychology and Interaction
• Sociology of Culture
• Sports Studies

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/1786

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-3325