Ross Wadey
Biographic Data
| ID | 379065 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ross Wadey |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ross |
| FAMILY NAME | Wadey |
| SIGNATURE | WADEY R |
| AFFILIATIONS | St Mary's University Twickenham London |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7269-6754 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 18 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
An ethnographic approach to disordered eating and body image in judoka
This study aimed to explore and understand, through an ethnographic approach, the cutting weight culture and relationship with disordered eating behaviours and body image perceptions of elite judoka. Observations and fieldwork (189 hours) were undertaken within a full-time judo facility, where elite athletes were enrolled on a centralised training programme. Senior judoka (M Age = 24, SD = 7 years old) trained up to three times daily, five days p…
Bridging the Gap
Identity profiles and wellbeing of Italian student-athletes
Introduction Student-athletes balance academic and athletic commitments, thus developing different combinations of academic and athletic identity. The present study investigates these different identities and examines them in relation to satisfaction with academic and sport performance and well-being. Methods A total of 223 Italian student-athletes completed a set of self-report measures: the Academic and Athletic Identity Scale (AAIS), two singl…
Poetic confessions of a neophyte qualitative researcher undertaking emotionally demanding research in sport
Undertaking qualitative research can be emotionally demanding, yet the emotional experiences and vulnerabilities of researchers themselves are often overlooked. In this confessional tale, the first author, a neophyte qualitative researcher, reflects on navigating emotionally demanding research in sport, specifically exploring athlete experiences of injury and disordered eating. By using poetry as an arts-based method, this study not only conveys …
Co-produced research that bridges the ‘Knowledge Gap’ to support physical activity participation in disabled children and young people with limb difference
The objective of this nationwide (i.e. England), longitudinal (i.e. 2015–2024), and commissioned (i.e. National Disability Sport Organisation) study was to co-produce research with and for disabled children and young people with limb difference and their families to encourage participation in physical activity and create a more equitable and socially just society. Underpinned and informed by an equitable and experientially informed form of co-pro…
What is an athlete's psychological well-being? Constructing concepts with Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Although psychological well-being (PWB) in athletes is receiving increased scrutiny, there is some confusion about what constitutes PWB in elite sport. Psychological well-being (eudaimonia) is associated with purpose, growth, and fulfilling one’s potentials (Aristotle, 4c BCE, 1985); however, there are limitations in the conceptual clarity of PWB, and in the context of elite sport global frameworks of PWB have been used to study context-specific …
A letter to my younger self
This study seeks to extend the variety of written methods used in sport and exercise research by outlining the use of a novel written technique for data collection: ‘a letter to my younger self’. The use of solicited letter writing has long been endorsed as a valuable technique as part of the therapeutic process, but has yet to be considered as a method of collecting qualitative data. In this study, 21 participants who had experienced chronic pai…
Bridging the Know-Do Gap Using Integrated Knowledge Translation and Qualitative Inquiry
Sharing and discussing sports injury narratives with elite athletes
While the notion of creating and sharing multiple narratives in sport, exercise, and health settings to promote a more diverse landscape is often discussed, the process of, and tensions in doing so are less articulated. Extending a previous study that identified the narrative typologies that scaffold elite athletes’ stories of sports injury experiences , the aim of this study was to critically reflect (i.e. introspective, intersubjective), on mem…
Runners’ experiences of street harassment in London
Street harassment is a common everyday occurrence, yet little academic attention has been paid to how it affects those engaged in outdoor recreation. This study critically explores street harassment experienced and managed by runners in London. Data was collected through an online survey and one-to-one interviews. A total of 121 runners across 26 London boroughs completed the survey, with seven women and two men taking part in follow-up interview…
Impacting and being impacted by overuse injuries
The aim of this study was to explore the experience of parents of gymnasts suffering from overuse injuries. The work is part of a wider ethnographic project, with 43 participants (16 gymnasts, 3 coaches, 1 physiotherapist, 22 parents, 1 manager), which investigated the psychosocial factors affecting the development of overuse injuries in gymnasts. Data collection began with observations, formal and informal interviews, and a focus group, which we…
Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Practice
The aim of this research was to explore the experiential knowledge of patient-facing staff working in a prosthetic rehabilitation center in the United Kingdom. Eleven members of staff with varied roles and levels of experience took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes were identified: (a) defining successful rehabilitation, (b) the complex reality of patient-centered care, (c) organizat…
Breast Education Improves Adolescent Girls' Breast Knowledge, Attitudes to Breasts and Engagement With Positive Breast Habits
Many females experience breast-related issues that are considered to negatively impact health and wellbeing. These include breast cancer, issues related to incorrect bra fit, and issues related to breast movement including an increased incidence of breast pain, breast sag and embarrassment, which can be a barrier to physical activity participation. Knowledge and awareness of these breast issues among females is low. Furthermore, these breast conc…
Member reflections with elite coaches and gymnasts
This paper is a confessional tale that focuses on challenges encountered during the process of conducting member reflections, and on the lessons learned from these. Recent discussions on enhancing the rigor of qualitative research conducted from an interpretivist stance encourage the use of member reflections, rather than the previously widely adopted member checking. Yet, practical examples of how to use this technique are scarce in the sport, e…
Narratives of Recovery Over the First Year After Major Lower Limb Loss
The objectives of this research were to extend previous research by exploring the psychosocial experiences of patients over the first year after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) and identify implications for rehabilitation practice. This research took place at a United Kingdom–based National Health Service–operated prosthetic rehabilitation center. Thirty patients were recruited who had experienced MLLA within the last year and were undertaking…
Qualitative fieldwork in medical contexts
Immersive fieldwork can facilitate an understanding of the richness, complexity and multifaceted relationships within medical environments, and is increasingly being used to explore sensitive topics within health care. However, few published studies have made use of immersive methods within hospitals or clinics, and there is a lack of guidance for those seeking to conduct immersive research within medical spaces. In this confessional tale, the fi…
Researching growth following adversity in sport and exercise
A novel concept that is gaining momentum in the field of sport and exercise psychology is growth following adversity. Specifically, researchers are interested in how participation in sport and exercise may act as a catalyst for self-development following a traumatic or stressful event. This interest and the resultant qualitative studies have led to a significant body of research, which has been subjected to systematic review and synthesis. Yet, w…
Adjusting to retirement from sport
This study used narrative inquiry to understand the retirement experiences of rhythmic gymnasts. Eight female former competitive gymnasts (M age = 24.5, SD = 8.33) each participated in four life-history interviews. Following dialogical narrative analysis, three narrative typologies were outlined: Entangled Narrative, Going Forward Narrative and Making Sense Narrative. The entangled narrative shows an individual with a monological athletic identit…
Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Practice
The aim of this research was to explore the experiential knowledge of patient-facing staff working in a prosthetic rehabilitation center in the United Kingdom. Eleven members of staff with varied roles and levels of experience took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes were identified: (a) defining successful rehabilitation, (b) the complex reality of patient-centered care, (c) organizat…
Researching growth following adversity in sport and exercise
A novel concept that is gaining momentum in the field of sport and exercise psychology is growth following adversity. Specifically, researchers are interested in how participation in sport and exercise may act as a catalyst for self-development following a traumatic or stressful event. This interest and the resultant qualitative studies have led to a significant body of research, which has been subjected to systematic review and synthesis. Yet, w…
Adjusting to retirement from sport
This study used narrative inquiry to understand the retirement experiences of rhythmic gymnasts. Eight female former competitive gymnasts (M age = 24.5, SD = 8.33) each participated in four life-history interviews. Following dialogical narrative analysis, three narrative typologies were outlined: Entangled Narrative, Going Forward Narrative and Making Sense Narrative. The entangled narrative shows an individual with a monological athletic identit…
Qualitative fieldwork in medical contexts
Immersive fieldwork can facilitate an understanding of the richness, complexity and multifaceted relationships within medical environments, and is increasingly being used to explore sensitive topics within health care. However, few published studies have made use of immersive methods within hospitals or clinics, and there is a lack of guidance for those seeking to conduct immersive research within medical spaces. In this confessional tale, the fi…
Breast Education Improves Adolescent Girls' Breast Knowledge, Attitudes to Breasts and Engagement With Positive Breast Habits
Many females experience breast-related issues that are considered to negatively impact health and wellbeing. These include breast cancer, issues related to incorrect bra fit, and issues related to breast movement including an increased incidence of breast pain, breast sag and embarrassment, which can be a barrier to physical activity participation. Knowledge and awareness of these breast issues among females is low. Furthermore, these breast conc…
Member reflections with elite coaches and gymnasts
This paper is a confessional tale that focuses on challenges encountered during the process of conducting member reflections, and on the lessons learned from these. Recent discussions on enhancing the rigor of qualitative research conducted from an interpretivist stance encourage the use of member reflections, rather than the previously widely adopted member checking. Yet, practical examples of how to use this technique are scarce in the sport, e…
Narratives of Recovery Over the First Year After Major Lower Limb Loss
The objectives of this research were to extend previous research by exploring the psychosocial experiences of patients over the first year after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) and identify implications for rehabilitation practice. This research took place at a United Kingdom–based National Health Service–operated prosthetic rehabilitation center. Thirty patients were recruited who had experienced MLLA within the last year and were undertaking…
Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Practice
The aim of this research was to explore the experiential knowledge of patient-facing staff working in a prosthetic rehabilitation center in the United Kingdom. Eleven members of staff with varied roles and levels of experience took part in semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Six themes were identified: (a) defining successful rehabilitation, (b) the complex reality of patient-centered care, (c) organizat…
Runners’ experiences of street harassment in London
Street harassment is a common everyday occurrence, yet little academic attention has been paid to how it affects those engaged in outdoor recreation. This study critically explores street harassment experienced and managed by runners in London. Data was collected through an online survey and one-to-one interviews. A total of 121 runners across 26 London boroughs completed the survey, with seven women and two men taking part in follow-up interview…
Impacting and being impacted by overuse injuries
The aim of this study was to explore the experience of parents of gymnasts suffering from overuse injuries. The work is part of a wider ethnographic project, with 43 participants (16 gymnasts, 3 coaches, 1 physiotherapist, 22 parents, 1 manager), which investigated the psychosocial factors affecting the development of overuse injuries in gymnasts. Data collection began with observations, formal and informal interviews, and a focus group, which we…
A letter to my younger self
This study seeks to extend the variety of written methods used in sport and exercise research by outlining the use of a novel written technique for data collection: ‘a letter to my younger self’. The use of solicited letter writing has long been endorsed as a valuable technique as part of the therapeutic process, but has yet to be considered as a method of collecting qualitative data. In this study, 21 participants who had experienced chronic pai…
Bridging the Know-Do Gap Using Integrated Knowledge Translation and Qualitative Inquiry
Sharing and discussing sports injury narratives with elite athletes
While the notion of creating and sharing multiple narratives in sport, exercise, and health settings to promote a more diverse landscape is often discussed, the process of, and tensions in doing so are less articulated. Extending a previous study that identified the narrative typologies that scaffold elite athletes’ stories of sports injury experiences , the aim of this study was to critically reflect (i.e. introspective, intersubjective), on mem…
What is an athlete's psychological well-being? Constructing concepts with Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Although psychological well-being (PWB) in athletes is receiving increased scrutiny, there is some confusion about what constitutes PWB in elite sport. Psychological well-being (eudaimonia) is associated with purpose, growth, and fulfilling one’s potentials (Aristotle, 4c BCE, 1985); however, there are limitations in the conceptual clarity of PWB, and in the context of elite sport global frameworks of PWB have been used to study context-specific …
An ethnographic approach to disordered eating and body image in judoka
This study aimed to explore and understand, through an ethnographic approach, the cutting weight culture and relationship with disordered eating behaviours and body image perceptions of elite judoka. Observations and fieldwork (189 hours) were undertaken within a full-time judo facility, where elite athletes were enrolled on a centralised training programme. Senior judoka (M Age = 24, SD = 7 years old) trained up to three times daily, five days p…
Bridging the Gap
Identity profiles and wellbeing of Italian student-athletes
Introduction Student-athletes balance academic and athletic commitments, thus developing different combinations of academic and athletic identity. The present study investigates these different identities and examines them in relation to satisfaction with academic and sport performance and well-being. Methods A total of 223 Italian student-athletes completed a set of self-report measures: the Academic and Athletic Identity Scale (AAIS), two singl…
Poetic confessions of a neophyte qualitative researcher undertaking emotionally demanding research in sport
Undertaking qualitative research can be emotionally demanding, yet the emotional experiences and vulnerabilities of researchers themselves are often overlooked. In this confessional tale, the first author, a neophyte qualitative researcher, reflects on navigating emotionally demanding research in sport, specifically exploring athlete experiences of injury and disordered eating. By using poetry as an arts-based method, this study not only conveys …
Co-produced research that bridges the ‘Knowledge Gap’ to support physical activity participation in disabled children and young people with limb difference
The objective of this nationwide (i.e. England), longitudinal (i.e. 2015–2024), and commissioned (i.e. National Disability Sport Organisation) study was to co-produce research with and for disabled children and young people with limb difference and their families to encourage participation in physical activity and create a more equitable and socially just society. Underpinned and informed by an equitable and experientially informed form of co-pro…
Psychology (13 works) · Qualitative research (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Medicine (8 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Sport Psychology and Performance (8 works) · Narrative (6 works) · Social science (6 works) · Thematic analysis (5 works) · Physical therapy (4 works)