“Mindset: performing under pressure”–a multimodal cognitive-behavioural intervention to enhance the well-being and performance of young athletes

Abstract

Young athletes experience stress daily and coping adaptively with these stressful situations is an important determinant of their well-being and performance. Rather than seeking to change the often-unavoidable stressful situations, it is possible to change the way in which young athletes think about the situations. The present study aimed to investigate whether a multimodal cognitive-behavioral intervention could enhance young athletes’ psychological well-being and performance. Delivered toward the end of the competitive season when there is often more at stake, the intervention employed a combination of education and reappraisal delivered in 6 × 1-hour group workshops. Content included stress mindset, irrational beliefs, self-compassion, and imagery. We hypothesized that the intervention would enhance stress mindset and reduce irrational beliefs, and in turn, this would enhance the psychological well-being and performance of young athletes. Ninety-four footballers and swimmers (n = 48 females, n = 46 males, Mage = 17.49 years, SD = 3.53) completed measures in stress mindset, perceived performance, irrational beliefs, anxiety and negative affect at baseline and post-intervention. Participants were allocated to an experimental (n = 49) or control condition (n = 45). Results from the mixed model ANOVAs demonstrate that the intervention was successful at enhancing stress mindset and reducing negative affect in the experimental condition, compared to those in the control condition. There were no significant changes in performance, irrational beliefs, or anxiety. Findings offer support for targeting stress mindset to enhance young athletes’ well-being. To reduce irrational beliefs, a more specific approach to the individual may be required. Lay summary: Young athletes experience a range of daily stressors, so exploring ways to enhance their well-being and performance in stressful situations is of importance. Altering their trait beliefs about stress and promoting perceptions of control over their thoughts are useful methods of enhancing their stress mindset and reducing negative affect.