No abstract

Sexual attractions as well as sexual and nonsexual boundary crossings (SBCs & NSBCs, respectively) have been examined within counseling and clinical psychology (Pope, 1988), though little research has addressed these issues within sport psychology. Thus, we examined the incidence of sexual attraction and the SBCs and NSBCs of male (n ϭ 170) and female (n ϭ 105) sport psychology consultants (SPCs) with their client-athletes. The SPCs had earned their degrees in exercise or sport science (n ϭ 201) or psychology (n ϭ 65); 9 did not provide their degree area. Of the 112 SPCs who reported being sexually attracted to least 1 of their client-athletes, 13.6% SPCs crossed sexual boundaries, primarily by discussing sexual matters unrelated to their work; no SPC reported kissing, dating, or having sexual intercourse with a client-athlete. Regarding actual boundary crossings, the SPCs attended client-athletes' sporting events (89.4%), initiated nonsexual touching (58.1%), attended social gatherings (43.5%), traveled with clientathletes (34.9%), and remained at parties with client-athletes (31.9%). There was no gender (male vs. female) by degree area (psychology vs. exercise or sport science) differences in frequency of these behaviors. SPCs trained in psychology viewed the following behaviors as more professionally acceptable than did those trained in exercise or sport science: (a) travel with client, (b) disclose personal stressors, (c) become social friends, (d) exchange a gift, (e) send holiday greeting card, (f) client is employed where SPC works, (g) client stay at SPC's house, and (h) form a business relationship with client.

An interdisciplinary campus based program is described in which information and support were offered to assist university community members in receiving the physical and mental training necessary to complete a distance running event. Forty-two individuals participated in the program for a five-month period before and immediately following the race. Program evaluations were administered after each seminar session and qualitative comments were also collected. Evaluation data supported the program's value in boosting confidence and increasing knowledge in support of participants' quest to successfully complete the event. Recommendations were offered on how to develop similar programs in similar settings.