Doing social identity leadership: Exploring the efficacy of an identity leadership intervention on perceived leadership and mobilization in elite disability soccer

Based on social identity principleswe explore the efficacy of a leadership intervention in elite disability sport. A two-year longitudinal design involved an elite male disability soccer team that prepared for a World Championship in Year 1 and then reformed for Paralympic competition in Year 2. Athlete data indicated marginal to significant increases from baseline to intervention phases in social identification, identity leadership displayed by staff, and hours practice completed away from training camps, but no significant change in mobilization of effort (in Year 1 and 2). We discuss the applied implications, study limitations, and opportunities for future researchers

An idiographic single-case study examining the use of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) with three amateur golfers to alleviate social anxiety

Performance anxiety has been studied in relation to golf performance, but one phenomenon that has received scant attention is social anxiety. One potential intervention that could reduce social anxiety in golfers is rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a cognitive-behavioral approach for which research interest is growing. The current study used an idiographic single-case study design to assess the effects of REBT on the social anxiety of 3 male amateur golfers. REBT was employed both on and off the golf course to ensure integration of REBT into the golfers’ performance, offering a methodological advancement of past research. Data were collected prior to, during, and after the REBT intervention. Visual analysis following single-case guidelines revealed substantial reductions in irrational beliefs and social anxiety in all three golfers. Social validation data indicated the positive receipt of REBT by the golfers and supported the visual analysis findings. This current study supports the effectiveness of REBT and extends the research by applying REBT in a “real-world” performance setting, offering methodological advances and providing clear implications for future research and practice

Investigating the effects of irrational and rational self-statements on motor-skill and hazard-perception performance

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach based on the premise that when faced with adversity irrational beliefs determine unhealthy negative emotions and maladaptive behaviors, whereas rational beliefs lead to healthy and adaptive alternatives. The detrimental effects of irrational beliefs on psychological health are established, however less is known about the deleterious effects on human behavior and performance. In the present study we examined the effects of irrational and rational self-statements on motor-skill performance (Experiment 1), performance effectiveness, and efficiency during a modified hazard perception task, and task persistence during a breath-holding task (Experiment 2). Using a repeated measures counter balanced design, two cohorts of 35 undergraduate university students were recruited for Experiment 1 and 2, each participating in no self-statement, irrational, and rational self-statement conditions. Data indicated no differences in motor-skill and task performance, performance efficiency, task persistence, mental effort, and pre-performance anxiety between irrational and rational self-statement conditions. In contrast to previous research the findings provide insight into a juxtaposition that irrational beliefs hinder psychological health, yet may help performance, highlighting important distinctions in factual and practical rationality that have been overlooked within the extant literature. The findings have important practical implications for practitioners that may look to REBT to enhance the psychological health and performance for individuals who operate in high performance contexts. Further, the short and long-term effects of irrational and rational beliefs on performance and psychological health warrants greater investigation

Exploring athletes’ perceptions of coach stress in elite sport environments

The present study aimed to extend research that has focused on the identification of stressors associated with coaching practice by systematically evaluating how such stressors effect athletes, and more broadly, the coach-athlete relationship. A total of 13 professional and national level athletes were interviewed to address the three study aims: how they detect when a coach is encountering stressors; how coach experiences of stress effects them as an athlete; and, how effective the coach is when experiencing stress. Following content analysis, the data suggested athletes were able to detect when a coach was experiencing stress and this was typically via a variety of verbal and behavioural cues. Despite some positive effects of the coach experiencing stress, the majority were negative and varied across a range of personal influences on the athlete, and effects on the general coaching environment. It was also the broad view of the athletes that coaches were less effective when stressed, and this was reflected in performance expectations, perceptions of competence, and lack of awareness. The findings are discussed in relation to the existing theory and with reference to their implications for applied practice, future research, and development of the coach athlete relationship

Exploring athletes’ perceptions of coach stress in elite sport environments

The present study aimed to extend research that has focused on the identification of stressors associated with coaching practice by systematically evaluating how such stressors effect athletes, and more broadly, the coach-athlete relationship. A total of 13 professional and national level athletes were interviewed to address the three study aims: how they detect when a coach is encountering stressors; how coach experiences of stress effects them as an athlete; and, how effective the coach is when experiencing stress. Following content analysis, the data suggested athletes were able to detect when a coach was experiencing stress and this was typically via a variety of verbal and behavioural cues. Despite some positive effects of the coach experiencing stress, the majority were negative and varied across a range of personal influences on the athlete, and effects on the general coaching environment. It was also the broad view of the athletes that coaches were less effective when stressed, and this was reflected in performance expectations, perceptions of competence, and lack of awareness. The findings are discussed in relation to the existing theory and with reference to their implications for applied practice, future research, and development of the coach athlete relationship

The effects of social identity and social identity content on cohesion, efficacy, and performance across a competitive rugby league season

Social identity (one’s sense of belongingness to a group) and social identity content (what it means to belong to a group) are important psychological constructs for cognition and behaviour. Whilst some longitudinal social identity research exists, researchers have yet to explore the temporal effects of social identity content in sport. Across a competitive season, we therefore explored the main and interactive effects of social identity and two types of social identity content (results and friendships) on cohesion, self and team-level efficacy, and subjective team performance. Participants were 167 male rugby league athletes (Mage = 18.16 ± 0.44 years) drawn from all eight teams competing in a single English Premier Rugby League Division. At the start, middle, and end of their nine-week season, participants completed a series of measures. Multilevel modelling analyses found that social identity significantly and positively predicted all study outcomes (amongst athletes) and self and team-level efficacy (across time). As athletes’ social identity strengthened across the season, so too did self and team-level efficacy. Also at the time-level, the interaction between social identity and friendships content significantly and positively predicted team-level efficacy. In other words, social identity was important for team-level efficacy throughout the season when friendships content was high. Overall, our findings suggest that social identity is important for cohesion, efficacy, and team performance. The lack of interaction effects between social identity and results/friendships contents may be attributable to athletes adopting social creativity by altering the importance placed on results and friendships throughout the season.</p

The effects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing on prospective imagery and anxiety in golfers

In this study we make a novel contribution by examining the effects of an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) intervention on detrimental prospective imagery in four amateur golfers, using a single-case multiple-baseline across-participants design. Post-intervention, all participants reported reduced negative imagery effects; participants 1, 3, and 4 showed reduced cognitive anxiety, participants 1 and 4 reduced somatic anxiety, and participant 3 positively relabeled somatic anxiety experiences. Social validation data demonstrated EMDR to be perceived positively and effective in delivering notable changes. Consultancy experiences of using EMDR in golf are discussed and areas for future researchers and applied practitioners outlined

UK professional male cricketers’ mental health and support experiences: a qualitative exploration

Recently, UK professional cricket has seen tragic events, powerful testimonies, and increased media attention surrounding mental health, yet the experiences of players and the support they receive has continued to receive limited academic attention. Our study bridged that gap by qualitatively examining UK male professional cricketers’ experiences of mental health and mental health support. Through interviews with 15 current and former male UK professional cricketers, who had an average of 14 years’ experience, three key themes were developed: (1) The emotional rollercoaster of a career in professional cricket, (2) local vs national level mental health support and, (3) nourishing vs malnourishing player’s mental health. Firstly, a career in professional cricket had highs and lows that both stimulated a player’s mental health and led to mental health issues and impaired performance. Secondly, while national level mental health support was endorsed, the support was found to be reactive. Due to the continued perceived stigma and lack of openness at the local (County) level, players reported feeling uncomfortable to reach out for support. Lastly, by providing stability with contracts, helping players prepare for and through transitions, encouraging the development of healthy habits, and coaches communicating effectively and investing in their relationships with players, organisations have the potential to nourish, protect, and enhance professional cricketers’ mental health throughout their career. Our study has important implications for counties by highlighting the role and responsibility they have in breaking down stigma, creating an open and supportive environment around mental health and nourishing player’s mental health experiences

Developing social E-dentity: examination of an online 5R programme with an Esports team

Research in traditional sport has demonstrated that development of a strong team 24 identity can have positive benefits for performance and wellbeing. However, to date, there is 25 limited research on team identity and whether it can be developed in esports. The aim of this 26 study, therefore, was to explore the effect of an online delivered 5R programme with one esports 27 team. The complimentary descriptive, visual, and statistical analyses provided some tentative 28 support for effects of the intervention on players’ social identification, collective efficacy, and 29 resilience. Additional qualitative social validation responses suggested the intervention effected 30 intrateam communication, improved players’ belonging, and increased commitment. These 31 initial exploratory findings provide initial support for the potential of 5R programmes. Future 32 research directions, strengths and limitations, and suggestions for practitioners are discussed.</p

Psychological support for sport coaches: An exploration of practitioner psychologist perspectives

In the present study we add to the literature by exploring the degree to which UK practitioner psychologists perceive themselves able to support sport coaches, and how professional training prepares psychologists for coach work across performance domains. Ten participants comprising seven sport and exercise psychologists with Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) practitioner psychologist status and three trainee psychologists studying towards the British Psychological Society (BPS) qualification in sport and exercise psychology (QSEP) were individually interviewed. All participants reported prior experience of working with coaches across all performance domains. We explored: practitioner’s understanding of the challenges coaches face within their job; practitioner’s experiences of coach work; perspectives about the ways in which practitioners could and should support coaches; and, the degree to which professional training prepares practitioners for coach work. Using recommended procedures of Connelly and Peltzer (2016), content analysis revealed practitioners perceived the challenges faced by coaches are different at grassroots level compared to those working with elite athletes, and that practitioners require skills to provide one-to-one coach support and group-based interventions. All practitioners perceived that training programmes do not adequately equip trainees with skills required for coach work. We discuss the implications for enhancing practitioner training in the UK