Analytical Pluralism in Phenomenological Research: Exploring Coach Psychological Flexibility During COVID-19

Abstract

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of coaches who integrated Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles into their professional practice and personal lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research examined how this integration influenced psychological flexibility, self-development, self-practice, and well-being amid the pandemic's uncertainty and disruption. To account for the conceptual and experiential complexity of the inquiry, an analytically pluralistic approach was adopted to enable multiple interpretive lenses. A layered design combined reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) for breadth and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) for depth, aligning the epistemological stance of critical realism with the functional contextualist assumptions underpinning ACT. Twelve experienced ACT-informed coaches from diverse global contexts were purposively recruited via professional networks and social media. Each participant, with at least 100 hours of coaching experience, engaged in a 60–90-minute semi-structured online interview that incorporated reflective prompts to elicit rich narrative accounts in a supportive environment. Data were initially inductively coded using NVivo, following the phases of RTA with a semantic focus. Subsequently, three data-rich transcripts were analysed using IPA, involving descriptive, linguistic, and conceptual noting, leading to the development of personal and group experiential themes. The integration of RTA and IPA findings provided nuanced responses to the research questions, enriching interpretation by distinguishing between explicit and hermeneutic, and between pragmatic and existential dimensions. Although methodologically demanding, this dual-analytic approach deepened understanding of how ACT principles, integrated into coaching and personal life, supported psychological flexibility and well-being during a global crisis.