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khodgeMS(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.

Publications

Hodge, K. (2025). Sports-based life skills interventions: Psychological needs and psychological well-being. In K. T. Koh, T. J. Newman & M. S. B. Salleh (Eds.), Coaching values and life skills through physical education and sports: A practical toolkit. (pp. 289-302). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781032688657-25 Chapter in Book - Research

Sharp, L.-A., & Hodge, K. (2024). Self-care for the sport psychologist. In B. Hemmings, T. Holder & S. Winter (Eds.), Professional skills in sport psychology consultancy: Personal and interpersonal dynamics. (pp. 32-44). New York, NY: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003398271 Chapter in Book - Research

Houge Mackenzie, S., Boudreau, P., & Hodge, K. (2023). Evaluating a model of flow and clutch optimal psychological states in adventure recreation. Leisure Sciences. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/01490400.2023.2261917 Journal - Research Article

Hodge, K., Chow, G. M., Luzzeri, M., Scanlan, T., & Scanlan, L. (2023). Commitment in sport: Motivational climate, need satisfaction/thwarting and behavioural outcomes. Asian Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ajsep.2023.03.004 Journal - Research Article

Jackson, S. A., Eklund, R. C., Gordon, A., Norsworthy, C., Houge Mackenzie, S., Hodge, K., & Stephen, S. A. (2023). Flow and outdoor adventure recreation: Using flow measures to re-examine motives for participation. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 67, 102427. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102427 Journal - Research Article

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