Thank you for attending my workshop at the IPPA World Congress in Brisbane. On this page you will find the key references cited in the workshop and additional references to relevant literature about playfulness and coaching. If you scroll down you'll see all the ideas you had about what would happen if coaching was a playful experience....

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I'd really welcome continuing the conversation about what playfulness looks like in a coaching context, how we can build it in to coaching practice and coach training in an evidence-based way, and how the future of coaching may be enhanced  through a better understanding of playful practice. I'd also love to learn about examples of playful coaching practice you may have experienced so that this wisdom can be shared and built upon.

 

Please feel free to contact me on sarah@theplayfulcoach.com or connect with me on LinkedIn if you would like to continue this conversation together

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Peer-reviewed articles:

 

Chang, P. J., Yarnal, C., & Chick, G. (2016). The longitudinal association between playfulness and resilience in older women engaged in the red hat society. Journal of Leisure Research, 48(3), 210-227. http://dx.doi.org/10.18666/JLR-2016-V48-I3-6256

 

Chang,P., Qian, X. & Yarnal, C. (2013). Using playfulness to cope with psychological stress: taking into account both positive and negative emotions. International Journal of Play, 2(3), 273-296. https://doi.org.10.1080/21594937.2013.855414

 

Clifford, C., Paulk, E., Lin, Q., Cadwallader, J., Lubbers, K., & Frazier, L. D. (2022). Relationships among adult playfulness, stress, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current Psychology, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-02870-0

 

Deci, E. L. & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The what and why of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, (11)4, 227-268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01

 

Farley, A., Kennedy-Behr, A., & Brown, T. (2021). An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Playfulness and Well-being in Australian Adults: An Exploratory Study. OTJR, 41(1), 56–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449220945311

 

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. The American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218  

 

Guitard, P., Ferland, F., & Dutil, É. (2005). Toward a better understanding of playfulness in adults. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 25(1), 9-22.

 

Heimann, K.S., & Roepstorff, A. (2018). How Playfulness Motivates – Putative Looping Effects of Autonomy and Surprise Revealed by Micro Phenomenological Investigations. Frontiers in Psychology, 9,1704.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01704

 

Henricks, T. S. (2020). Play Studies: A Brief History. American Journal of Play, 12(2), 114-155.

 

Lockwood, R., & O’Connor, S. (2017). Playfulness in adults: An examination of play and playfulness and their implications for coaching. Coaching: An International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 10(1), 54-65.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2016.1268636

 

Parker, C., Kennedy-Behr, A., Wright, S., & Brown, T. (2023). Does the self-reported playfulness of older adults influence their wellbeing? An exploratory study. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 30(1), 86-97.  https://doi.org/10.1080/11038128.2022.2145993

 

Proyer, R. T. (2013). The well-being of playful adults: Adult playfulness, subjective well-being, physical well-being, and the pursuit of enjoyable activities. European Journal of Humour Research, 1(1), 84–98.  https://doi.org/10.7592/EJHR2013.1.1.proyer

 

Proyer, R. T. (2014a). Playfulness over the lifespan and its relation to happiness: Results from an online survey. Zeitschrift Für Gerontologie Und Geriatrie, 47(6), 508–512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-013-0539-z

 

Proyer, R. T. (2014b). Perceived functions of playfulness in adults: Does it mobilize you at work, rest, and when being with others? Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliquée, 64(5), 241–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2014.06.001

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Proyer, R. T., & Brauer, K. (2023). Assessment of playfulness: Current challenges and overview. Psychological assessment—Science and practice: Handbook of positive  psychology assessment, 145-161.

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Proyer, R. T., Gander, F., Brauer, K., & Chick, G. (2021). Can Playfulness be Stimulated? A Randomised Placebo‐Controlled Online Playfulness Intervention Study on Effects on Trait Playfulness, Well‐Being, and Depression. Applied Psychology : Health and Well-Being, 13(1), 129–151. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12220

 

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68-78. https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.68

 

Shen, X. (2020). Constructing an interactionist framework for playfulness research: Adding psychological situations and playful states. Journal of Leisure Research, 51(5), 536-558. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222216.2020.1748551

 

Shen, X., & Masek , L. (2023). The playful mediator, moderator, or outcome? An integrative review of the roles of play and playfulness in adult-centered psychological interventions for mental health. The Journal of Positive Psychology.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2023.2288955

 

Turner, A. F., & Norris, L. J. (2022). Humour and playfulness and their practical use in the advancement of coaching psychology and practice. The Coaching Psychologist, 18(2), 30-41.https://doi.org/10.53841/bpstcp.2022.18.2.30

 

Vendl, A., Alvarado-Alvarez, C., & Euwema, M. (2024). Humor in professional coaching: a literature review and research agenda. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1288104. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1288104

 

Wheeler, S. (2020). An exploration of playfulness in coaching. International Coaching Psychology Review, 15(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.53841/bpsicpr.2020.15.1.44

 

 

Books, chapters & other sources

 

Brown, S. L. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Penguin.

 

Creevey, S. (2024). Play the Lead: how playfulness can support the development of PsyCap in first-time managers. [Unpublished Masters dissertation]. Anglia Ruskin University

 

Creevey, S. (2025). The Playful Coach Approach: Using the power of playfulness to navigate complexity. In Makinde, S. & Co. The Coaching Corner: Insights, tips and strategies from leading coaches and mentors to achieve success!. Pro Publishing House.

 

Fortune, J. (2022). Why we Play: How to find joy and meaning in everyday life. Thread.

 

Gray, P. (2015). Studying Play Without Calling it that. In Johnson, J. E., Eberle, S. G., Henricks, T. S., & Kuschner, D. (Eds.). The handbook of the study of play. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

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Wheeler, S., & Leyman, T. (2024). Playfulness in Coaching; Exploring our untapped potential through playfulness, creativity and imagination. Routledge.

 

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workshop outputs and resources

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