Neurodiversity in Esports Research and Practice: A Call for Neuroaffirmative Approaches

Swettenham, L ORCID: 0000-0002-7010-6543 and Sharpe, B Neurodiversity in Esports Research and Practice: A Call for Neuroaffirmative Approaches. International Journal of Sport Psychology. ISSN 0047-0767 (Accepted)

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Abstract

Neurodiversity remains widely misunderstood and underexplored in esports research and applied practice. We argue that esports research and practice are constructed through pervasive neuronormative assumptions that pathologise neurodivergence, reinforcing deficit-based narratives, conflating neurodiversity and mental ill-health, and obscuring neurodivergent identity. Central to our paper is the critical examination of how neuronormative assumptions shape research design, measurement, and intervention. In recognising that many difficulties attributed to 'poor mental health' may reflect chronic neurotype-environment mismatch rather than individual pathology, we propose a neuroaffirmative paradigm for esports that distinguishes neurodivergence from both mental health (as a broad construct encompassing emotional and psychological wellbeing) and mental illness (as clinical disorder), and values difference rather than deficit. Implications for research methodology and applied practice are outlined, emphasising coproduction, participatory action research, and environmental change. By reframing neurodivergent distress as a systemic issue rather than individual pathology, we invite a more ethical, human, and inclusive foundation for understanding wellbeing and performance in esports.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1701 Psychology; 1702 Cognitive Sciences; Sport Sciences; 4207 Sports science and exercise; 5201 Applied and developmental psychology; 5205 Social and personality psychology
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports > GV711 Coaching G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Edizioni Luigi Pozzi
Date of acceptance:	11 May 2026
Date Deposited:	26 May 2026 09:46
Last Modified:	26 May 2026 09:46
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28639

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