IMMIGRANT YOUTH LEADERSHIP IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORT PARTICIPATION IN A NEW COUNTRY

Authors

  • Adem Kaya Sport Management, Bowie State University, USA
  • Paula E. Faulkner North Carolina A&T State University, USA
  • Thomas Martinek Kinesiology at UNC Greensboro, USA
  • Jerono P. Rotich Department of Kinesiology and Recreation, North Carolina Central University, USA
  • Ceola Ross Baber Leadership Studies & Adult Education, North Carolina A&T State University, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v8i3.4271

Keywords:

immigrant youth, sport participation, leadership development, youth leadership, youth sports

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore how immigrant youth develop leadership identity through sport participation in a new country. A purposive sample of 15 immigrant and refugee youth participating in a local sport club in the southeastern United States was selected for the study. All of the participants were male; ranged in age from 13 to 18 years old. The country of origin for one was Mexico, while the remaining 14 came from eight different countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This instrumental case study involved in-depth interviews twice with each participant and a group interview with all of them. The researchers used several strategies to establish credibility, including adherence to IRB guidelines for human subjects’ research. Inductive analyses yielded two major categories with several themes for each; (a) sport participation, and (b) leadership skills. Findings related to these themes led to several implications for schools, community-based organizations, and sport clubs that provide programs for immigrant and refugee youth.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Adem Kaya, Sport Management, Bowie State University, USA

    Adem Kaya (PhD) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management at Bowie State University. His research agenda includes youth and sport participation, immigrant and refugee acculturation, and traditional sports and games in society. akaya@bowiestate.edu, orcid.org/0000-0003-3485-0540

  • Paula E. Faulkner, North Carolina A&T State University, USA

    Paula E. Faulkner (PhD) is a professor in the Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research focus addresses the needs of underrepresented groups in agricultural-related fields. pefaulkn@ncat.edu, orcid.org/0000-0001-6729-1330

  • Thomas Martinek, Kinesiology at UNC Greensboro, USA

    Thomas Martinek (EdD) is a professor in Kinesiology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. His research focuses on community youth sport development and youth leadership. tjmartin@uncg.edu

  • Jerono P. Rotich, Department of Kinesiology and Recreation, North Carolina Central University, USA

    Jerono P. Rotich (PhD) is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Recreation Administration at North Carolina Central University. She has published extensively in the areas of immigrant and refugee acculturation, global and international education, and cultural competence as a viable solution for decreasing health disparities and obesity. jrotich@nccu.edu. orcid.org/0000-0002-6651-6582

  • Ceola Ross Baber, Leadership Studies & Adult Education, North Carolina A&T State University, USA

    Ceola Ross Baber (PhD) is a professor in the Department of Leadership Studies and Adult Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research focus includes equity and justice in K-20 institutions, social justice leadership, and home-school-university-community collaboration. crbaber@ncat.edu, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6241-9259

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Published

2022-05-04

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Articles

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