MS(Montana) PhD(Ill)
Tel +64 3 479 8945
Email ken.hodge@otago.ac.nz
Background
Dr Hodge is a Professor in sport and exercise psychology at the School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand (NZ). He joined the School in 1988, after completing his PhD at the University of Illinois (USA). His research focuses primarily on the psycho-social effects of participation in sport. In particular, he has investigated issues such as motivational orientations in sport, prosocial and antisocial behaviour in sport, athlete burnout and athlete engagement, lifeskill development through sport, and self-esteem and moral development in sport.
Dr Hodge served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (USA) from 2005-2012 and currently serves on the Editorial Boards of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology (USA), Psychology of Sport & Exercise (Europe), Journal of Applied Sport Psychology (USA), and The Sport Psychologist (USA). In addition, he regularly serves as a reviewer for a number of international journals such as the Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology (USA), and Journal of Sports Sciences (UK).
Ken served on the Executive Board for Sport & Exercise Science NZ from 2008-2012, and is a former President of the NZ Sport Psychology Association (having served as President from 1992-1996). He also served as Deputy-Chairman of the NZ Federation of Sports Medicine from 1993-1995; and as a board member for Sport Otago (1998-2004).
In addition, Ken has extensive experience working with elite NZ athletes as a Mental Skills Trainer (e.g., 1990, 1994, 1998 Commonwealth Games, 1992 Summer Olympics; 2006 Winter Olympics; NZ Colts Rugby, 2002-2005; Highlanders Super 14 Rugby Team, 2010; Silver Ferns Netball, 2006-2007; NZ Academy of Sport athletes, 2002-2010; MotorSport NZ Academy, 2002-2014; IRB Sevens Elite Referees Squad, 2014).
Teaching
Research
- Motivational Indices of Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviour in Sport
- Motivational Climates in Elite Sports teams
- Sport Psychology Consultant (SPC) Effectiveness
- Athlete Burnout & Engagement
- Motivational Orientations in Sport
- Sport and LifeSkill Development
Motivational Indices of Prosocial and Antisocial behaviour in Sport. Along with my colleague, Dr Chris Lonsdale (University of Western Sydney), I have been involved in research employing Self Determination Theory (SDT) to examine a range of psychological variables in sport. Despite the substantial increase in the use of SDT in sport, this theory has not been used to date to examine prosocial and antisocial behaviour. We planned a series of studies to investigate 'Prosocial and Antisocial Behaviour in Sport' (a key aspect of morality in sport). We published one paper in 2011; and a related study with another colleague, Dr Elaine Hargreaves, regarding 'drugs in sport' (as another indicator of antisocial behaviour in sport) in 2013.
Motivational Climates in Elite Sports Teams. In 2012-2013 I was involved in a research project with two coaches (Head Coach, Graham Henry; Assistant Coach, Wayne Smith) from the World Champion NZ All Blacks Rugby Team. We examined two related issues: (i) coach-created motivational climate, and (ii) coach-led practices for coping with pressure and 'avoiding-the-choke'. One paper is currently 'in press' and another is 'under review'.
Sport Psychology Consultant (SPC) Effectiveness. Since 2010 I have been involved, along with Dr Lee-Ann Sharp (University of Ulster, N. Ireland), in a series of studies examining what makes an 'effective' Sport Psychology Consultant (SPC). We have examined SPC effectiveness from the perspectives of the athlete, the coach, pre-elite SPCs, and elite-level (e.g., Olympics) SPCs. Four publications, and one in press.
Athlete Burnout & Engagement. In conjunction with Dr Chris Lonsdale (University of Western Sydney, Australia) and Dr Tom Raedeke (E. Carolina University, USA) we have examined motivational issues (self-determination theory) related to 'athlete burnout'. I also worked with Drs Lonsdale and Raedeke on a related project examining motivational issues (self-determination theory) related to 'athlete engagement'. Finally along with Dr Lonsdale, I worked on a project with Dr Sue Jackson (University of Queensland) investigating the relationship between 'athlete engagement' and 'flow'' in sport. We have published a number of papers.
Sport and LifeSkill Development in NZ. In conjunction with Prof Steve Danish (Virginia Commonwealth University, USA) I have been involved in the development of a NZ version of the 'GOAL LifeSkills Programme' and a line of research investigating the effects of the GOAL Programme on psycho-social development. In addition, I was involved with Prof Danish in the design and development of a new lifeskills programme -- SUPER (Sports United for the Promotion of Education and Recreation). Prof Danish and I have published a number of papers and book chapters.
PE and LifeSkill Development in Japan. In conjunction with Prof Tamotsu Nishida (Nagoya University, Japan) I was involved as the 'Foreign Cooperating Investigator' in the development of a Japanese version of a 'PE LifeSkills Programme' and a line of research investigating the effects of the School PE LifeSkills Programme on psycho-social development for adolescent children in Japan.