Straight from the horse’s mouth: understanding professional event riders’ mental preparation for maximising self-confidence prior to competition using thematic analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 261-270
Author(s):  
S. McGinn ◽  
D. Alcock ◽  
L.J. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Self Talk

High self-confidence or sport-confidence has been defined as a key psychological characteristic required by elite athletes, promoting optimal performance and helping manage competitive anxiety. Investigations have demonstrated that a mix of psychological interventions such as self-talk, goal setting, imagery, pre-performance routines and relaxation techniques are used by elite athletes as coping strategies. To date, most of this research has been carried out on collegiate athletes across a variety of sports but with limited research attention on equestrian sports. This study, using semi-structured interviews, explored five professional event riders’ experiences of psychological interventions used leading up to and during elite level international competition. Thematic analysis identified two meta-themes; Planning and Preparation, Arousal and Distraction Management. The riders outlined the importance of goal-setting, managing time and pre-performance routines as part of planning and preparation. They discussed the use of interventions such as self-talk and imagery in managing arousal levels with support teams playing a key role in distraction management. The findings from this study support previous research, suggesting that these riders have similar approaches to other non-equestrian athletes in their use of a combination of coping strategies to manage competition anxiety and build self-confidence.

Is There a Correlation in Improvements of TOPS Scores and Improvements in Track and Field Performances in Collegiate Athletes?

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-184
Author(s):  
Trey Brokaw
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
International Association ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Track And Field ◽  
Ncaa Division Ii ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
Select Group ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Field Season

This presentation will share the results from a study conducted on college track and field athletes at the NCAA division II level. The study compares the results of scores on the Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS) and, individual athlete’s improvements in their event area according to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) scoring charts for track and field. A select group of primarily middle distance and distance runners was selected for the study. These athletes were given a baseline TOPS examination to evaluate their prior knowledge and use of mental skills in their athletic experiences. Personal best times in the athlete’s primary events were recorded from the previous year. During the nine weeks of the outdoor track and field season that this study took place; athletes were introduced to a wide array of activities associated with improving their mental skills. Such activities included goal setting, imagery, relaxation, optimum level of arousal, affirmations, and the use of positive self-talk and routines. Athletes would have an organized mental skills session at least twice each of the nine weeks of the season. Athletes also had an individual meeting with the coaches to go over goal setting and the use of their mental skills to enhance their physical skills. After the outdoor season was completed the athletes took a post-examination TOPS. The scores were compared with their pretest scores as well as their improvement in personal best times in their main events on the track.

Psychological Skills for Injury Prevention and Recovery

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-84
Author(s):  
Leilani Madrigal
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Psychological Skills ◽  
Attention Focus ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Injury Research ◽  
Injured Athletes

Psychological skills such as goal setting, imagery, relaxation and self-talk have been used in performance enhancement, emotional regulation, and increasing one’s confidence and/or motivation in sport. These skills can also be applied with athletes during recovery from injury in the rehabilitation setting or in preseason meetings for preventing injury. Research on psychological skill use with athletes has shown that such skills have helped reduce negative psychological outcomes, improve coping skills, and reduce reinjury anxiety (Evans & Hardy, 2002; Johnson, 2000; Mankad & Gordon, 2010). Although research has been limited in psychological skill implementation with injured athletes, these skills can be used when working with injured athletes or in the prevention of injury. Injured athletes may use psychological skills such as setting realistic goals in coming back from injury, imagery to facilitate rehabilitation, and relaxation techniques to deal with pain management. In prevention of injury, the focus is on factors that put an individual at-risk for injury. Thus, teaching strategies of goal setting, imagery, relaxation techniques, and attention/focus can be instrumental in preparing athletes for a healthy season.

Sledging in Cricket: Elite English Batsmen’s Experiences of Verbal Gamesship

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuele Joseph ◽  
Duncan Cramer
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Substantial Effect ◽  
External Support ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Altered State ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
State Of Mind ◽  
Perception Of Self

The present study examined elite cricket batsmen’s experiences of sledging to establish its frequency, effects, and the coping strategies used by players. Sledging in cricket is the practice whereby players seek to gain an advantage by insulting or verbally intimidating the opposing batter. Semistructured interviews were conducted on 10 elite batsmen. Interviews were transcribed and content analysis was conducted to elucidate themes. Several similar factors were reported for both the frequency of sledging and its effectiveness, the most influential being the period of innings, state of the game, and in-game pressure. The majority of the reported effects of sledging were negative, most notably, an altered perception of self, an altered state of mind, decreased batting ability, and over arousal. Numerous associated coping strategies were mentioned, the most frequently used being variations of self-talk. Other noteworthy coping strategies included routines, external support, showing frustration, avoidance coping, and relaxation techniques. Overall, players perceived that sledging had a substantial effect on a batter and their level of performance.

scholarly journals Comparison of Mental Skills of Elite and Non-Elite Athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4a) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sertaç Erciş
Keyword(s):  
Goal Setting ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Mental Practice ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Stress Reactions ◽  
Related Data ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Independent Test ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Control Activation

The main purpose of this reseach was to compare mental skills of elite and non-elite boys team athletes by Ottawa Questionnare. The reseach study was a descriptive-applied one. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire based on Ottawa questionnare that measured some mental skills factors. The subjects were 40 elite athletes and 40 non-elite athletes that they were randomaly taken up of basketball, volleyball, handball and futsall sport tournaments. T independent test was applied in order to analyze the related data to compare the results at p<0.05 level. The results indicated that the rate of Goal setting, self-confidence, Commitment, Stress reactions, Relaxation, Fear control, Activation, Focusing, Imagery, Competion planning, Mental practice and Refocusing skills is higher in elite athletic boy students in compare to non-elite ones.

scholarly journals Staying Home, Staying Alive: Campus Food Pantry Student Clients’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 193672442110356
Author(s):  
Elmira Jangjou
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Postsecondary Students ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Food Pantry ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Seeking Help

In response to students’ food insecurity, a number of colleges and universities have taken action and established campus food pantries as part of their intervention plans. However, many of these pantries ceased operation due to COVID-19 campus shutdowns. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on postsecondary students, who use a university-provided food pantry. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with 12 participants, the thematic analysis explored the initial coping strategies these students used to endure the pandemic. Findings revealed that many students experienced the immediate effects of the pandemic in the form of income loss, self-isolation, anxiety, and appetite change. Although the pandemic interrupted these students’ journeys to continue their studies and become independent in various ways, the affected students implemented various coping strategies, including seeking help from family or friends, using available resources, cooking at home, and even trying to save money. However, considering that the targeted population in this study was already at risk because of their basic needs insecurity, these postsecondary students require extra attention from their higher education institutions in the case of emergencies, such as a global pandemic. In addition to its timely and relevant findings, this study provides important avenues for future research and intervention efforts.

Practical Considerations for Working with Athletes with Disabilities

1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Hanrahan
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Body Awareness ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
Control Goal ◽  
Athletes With Disabilities

This paper presents general considerations for working with athletes with disabilities and the usefulness and possible modification of specific mental skills for those athletes. Common concerns for athletes with specific disabilities are discussed. Specific disabilities are considered under the headings of amputees, blind and visually impaired, cerebral palsy, deaf and hearing impaired, intellectual disabilities, and wheelchair. Arousal control, goal setting, attention/concentration, body awareness, imagery, self-confidence, and precompetition preparation are discussed in terms of disability-specific issues as well as suggestions for application.

scholarly journals Coping Strategies Used by Female Victims of the Colombian Armed Conflict: The Women in the Colombian Conflict (MUCOCO) Program

SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401989407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Ubillos-Landa ◽  
Alicia Puente-Martínez ◽  
Gina Arias-Rodríguez ◽  
Marcela Gracia-Leiva ◽  
José Luis González-Castro
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Conflict Situations ◽  
Trust In Institutions ◽  
Violent Acts ◽  
Las Mujeres

The effects of armed conflict on women in post-conflict situations are an area of analysis for social disciplines. This study will analyze the situation in Colombia, currently involved in a peace restoration process. The aim is to verify the efficacy of a coping and emotion regulation program analyzing victimization as well as the coping strategies employed in response to these violent acts. The program focuses on 62 women contacted through the Ruta Pacífica de las Mujeres, a nongovernmental organization. The program had a positive effect on women, reporting lower levels of posttraumatic stress, more functional coping strategies, and less use of dysfunctional strategies. All emotional cognitive and social indicators improved. Women felt emotionally better, perceiving greater social support and more trust in institutions. Survivors had more self-confidence to achieve their goals and solve their problems. The implications in a context of peace reconstruction and search for social cohesion are discussed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of psychological performance strategies of volleyball players

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 812-821
Author(s):  
Aylin Özgen Feralan ◽  
Serkan İbiş ◽  
Bülent Okan Micoogullari
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Goal Setting ◽  
Full Text ◽  
English Summary ◽  
Attention Control ◽  
Psychological Performance ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
Study Performance ◽  
Performance Strategies

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the performance strategies of volleyball players and also comparison of usage levels of strategies in training and competitions. Method: Total 134 voluntary amateur volleyball players between the ages of 15-24 participated in the study. Performance strategies of volleyball players were determined with Test of Performance Strategies that designed by Thomas et al., (1999). To examine the performance strategies of volleyball players and also comparison of usage levels of strategies in training and competitions Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme was employed. To define possible differences between variables Independent samples t test was used.     Findings: Practice scale’s highly used strategy was self-talk and the lowest usage percentage was attention control. Meanwhile, competition scale results indicated that the highest used strategy was activation and lowest used strategy was relaxation. While comparison of differences between practice and competition scales strategies, it was found that except of goal setting and imagery all other strategies showed significant differences. Conclusions: Psychological performance strategies’ averages of volleyball players were ensured and it is exhibited that to which strategies should be thought and focused. ​Extended English summary is in the end of Full Text PDF (TURKISH) file.​​ Özet Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, voleybolcuların kullandıkları psikolojik performans stratejilerinin incelenmesi ve antrenmanlarda ve müsabakalarda kullanılan stratejilerin kullanım düzeylerinin karşılaştırılmasıdır. Metod: Çalışmaya 15-24 yaş arasında 134 gönüllü voleybolcu katılmıştır. Sporcuların kullandıkları psikolojik performans stratejilerini ve bu stratejilerin düzeylerini belirlemek üzere Thomas ve ark. (1999) tasarladığı Psikolojik Performans Stratejileri testi kullanılmıştır. İstatistiki analizlerin yapılması amacıyla Sosyal Bilimler için İstatistik programı kullanılmıştır. Olası farklılıkların tespiti için Bağımsız Örneklem t testi kullanılmıştır.     Bulgular: Antrenman alt ölçeğinde kullanılan stratejiler arasında en yüksek ortalama kendinle konuşma becerisi; en az kullanılan ise dikkat kontrolü saptanmıştır.  Müsabaka alt ölçeğinde ise en fazla kullanılan strateji olarak da aktivasyon becerisi; en düşük düzeyde kullanılan beceri stratejisi de rahatlama olarak bulunmuştur. Kullanılan becerilerin karşılaştırılması sonucunda hedef belirleme ve imgeleme becerileri dışındaki tüm becerilerde anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Voleybolcuların psikolojik becerileri kullanım düzeyleri ve ne tür becerilerin daha fazla oranda çalıştırılması gerektiği ortaya koyulmuştur.

scholarly journals The Role of Self-Talk in Predicting Death Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Coping Strategies in the Face of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi ◽  
Arezoo Mojarrad ◽  
Saeed Pireinaladin ◽  
Andrej M M Grjibovski
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Coping Style ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Self Talk ◽  
The Face ◽  
And Coping

Objective: Nowadays, the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) is one of the most stressful resources that has led to the rise of different levels of psychological crisis. In addition to the countries affected by the COVID-19, such as China, European and American countries, Iran has appeared as one of the most affected countries with high infected cases and deaths. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-talk in predicting death anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and coping strategies in the face of COVID-19. Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted on 354 adults living in Ardabil, Iran, who were selected using cluster sampling from 21 January to 19 March 2020. Self-Talk questionnaires, Coping Strategies, Death Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive questionnaires were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression were used for data analysis. Results: The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between self-talk and problem-centered coping style. Also, significant negative relationships were found between self-talk and emotional coping style, death anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Furthermore, based on the results of the regression test, self-talk predicted problem-centered style, emotional-coping style, death anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the need for psychological crisis intervention during the COVID-19 outbreak. Also, this study provides an important step in shifting attention to self-talk skills from sport psychology fields toward clinical psychology, especially about the mental impacts of COVID-19.

scholarly journals Educating for complexities: Using future focus education to approach the wicked problem of climate change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lisa McLaren
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Climate Change Education ◽  
Power Shifts ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Power Shift ◽  
Educational Processes ◽  
Future Focus

<p>Climate change is a wicked problem. It is one that, among other things, is caused by those trying to solve it, is a symptom of deeper problems, and is complicated and full of uncertainties. Future focus education approaches are designed to enable learners to work within those complexities. This thesis looked at the 2012 NZ/Pacific Power Shift conference as an example of a future focus education approach to climate change education. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and Power Shift participant questionnaires allowed for the development of five theoretical constructs; Complexity, Connections, Collaboration, Confidence, and Commitment. Wicked problem literature showed that framing climate change as ‘wicked’ enables learners to deal with the underlying issues associated with the complexities of climate change. Power Shift as an example of a future focus education approach to climate change education created engaged thinkers and participants. It embraced complexities and did not let them get in the way of creating positive and ambitious solutions to climate change issues. Learners benefited from Power Shifts future focus approach to climate change education in four interconnected ways. Firstly, it provided educational processes that could lead to the development of more capable learners. Learners were able to approach the wicked problem of climate change at localised levels. Secondly, it provided solutions-based approaches to working towards climate change actions. Thirdly, it increased self-confidence within some participants. And lastly, it created connections between participants that developed into a climate change action community.</p>

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