Athlete–Coach Conflict and a Sport Psychologist Caught in the Middle: A Case Study of Consultancy During Athlete Preparation and Performance in Olympic Games Athletics

This case study examines the personal experiences of an elite athlete, coach, and sport psychology consultant (SPC) during the athlete’s preparation and performance in a recent Olympic Games. The qualitative research details how the consultancy process was affected by the athlete’s late admission of the deteriorating relationship with his coach. The concepts of closeness, commitment, complementarity, and co-orientation provided a theoretical perspective to the SPC’s interpretation of athlete performance and the interpersonal conflict that developed between athlete and coach. The basic performance demand model provided an applied perspective. The SPC’s commentary adopts a reflexive discursive style that also focuses on the SPC’s role in the consultancy process and the effectiveness of the performance demand model materials. Five important recommendations arise from the case study, and these might inform other SPCs’ future athlete–coach consultancies and interventions.

The Role of Siblings in Talent Development: Implications for Sport Psychologists and Coaches

Developing talent requires consideration of social networks that can facilitate or inhibit progression. Of fundamental influence in this regard is the family, with recent investigation extending its focus from parents to the role of siblings. As such, the purpose of this Conceptual Analysis article is to, firstly, review the characteristics of the sibling relationship that may support or inhibit talent development. Secondly, the analysis then provides empirically derived practical examples to emphasize the holistic and complex role that siblings can play in talent development. Thirdly, strategies are proposed to support practitioners identify specific sibling characteristics, alongside recommendations for how the relationship can be utilized within both the formal and informal environments by coaches and psychologists. Finally, and crucially, important implications of these characteristics are considered to support effective coach and sport psychologist decision making.

La blessure sportive: la place du psychologue du sport dans le réseau de soins

It is now recognized that psychological variables influence the treatment adherence, the athlete’s rehabilitation and return to sport. Among the influencing factors, several elements specific to the athlete and the situation are decisive, but it is above all the attitude and the evaluation of one’s own injury situation that will influence the way in which the athlete will engage in the healing process. The role of the sport psychologist and his or her tools are described through two concrete cases to illustrate two different stages of intervention after an injury occurs: before surgery and during rehabilitation and return to sport. Different techniques are presented (mind-body techniques, mental imagery, mindfulness meditation, goal setting etc.) to illustrate how a sport psychologist works with athletes. Finally, the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between all health professionals and the athlete’s entourage is emphasized in order to ensure holistic and adequate management of the athlete.

An inch away from being mentally tough: Performance bias in ratings of mental toughness

Are assessments of an athlete’s mental toughness influenced by how that athlete performs in a single moment in a game? We conducted three experimental studies to address this question and conclude that the answer is yes. In each study, sports fans (total N = 1,097) read vignettes that depicted a mentally tough basketball player, either by describing the player as having many mentally tough attributes (Study 1), or by stating that the player had been identified as being mentally tough by an expert sport psychologist (Studies 2 and 3). Participants then read that the player was about to take a championship-winning shot and were randomly assigned to learn that the shot had been either successful or unsuccessful. Moreover, in Studies 1 and 2 participants learned that the outcome had been either decisive (i.e., a “perfect swish” or an “air ball”) or indecisive (i.e., the ball hitting the backboard, then the rim and, eventually, either going or not going into the basket). In each study, despite learning that the athlete was very mentally tough, participants’ mental toughness ratings depended on whether or not the shot was successful. Ratings were also sensitive to the way in which an outcome was attained: ratings decreased in a linear pattern with the highest ratings after a decisive success, followed by an indecisive success, an indecisive failure, and the lowest ratings after a decisive failure. This research supports the criticism that evaluations of mental toughness are distorted by how an athlete performs in a single moment.

The Transition From Sport Psychology to Psychotherapy: The Journey of a Young Athlete Fighting Cancer

The current case study reports an intervention with a young volleyball athlete who was diagnosed with cancer during his early sporting career. The athlete requested both performance-enhancement support and psychotherapeutic intervention (the latter during his illness) from his sport psychologist. The article explores the transition from sport psychology intervention, which started before the appearance of the disease, to psychotherapy and the reflections concerning this unique situation. The fluctuation of the athlete alongside the mental health continuum ranging from a normal (illness-free) state to a mental-illness state was taken into consideration. The theoretical framework adopted by the sport psychologist/psychotherapist consisted of the integration of different approaches: the psychobiosocial model of Individual Zone for Optimal Functioning and relational psychoanalysis, both oriented around the existentialism counseling approach. Reflections on the case include the changes of setting and the development of the relationship between the psychologist/psychotherapist and the athlete during the two intervention phases.

Intervención forense y psicológica en un atleta de elite con psicopatología sobrevenida

Resumen Se presenta un estudio de caso de un deportista de elite que desarrolló una psicopatología sobrevenida, que interfería en su carrera atlética. Tras ganar dos medallas en una competición internacional, entró en un estado de ansiedad, depresión, nerviosismo y apatía y dejó de entrenar durante cinco meses. Durante este tiempo no atendió al sistema ADAMS, y fue citado por el Control Antidopaje de la WADA para que se defendiera. Fue diagnosticado de un Trastorno Depresivo Mayor Recidivante (269.3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) con un GAP entre 45 y 50, y un Síndrome de Burnout. La intervención duró cinco meses con una sesión semanal basada en Psicoterapia Psicodinámica Breve, Enseñanza de estrategias adaptativas de afrontamiento y Apoyo social. Tras oír las alegaciones del psicólogo, por consenso, le permitieron volver a competir. Abstract This paper presents a case study in which an elite athlete developed a sports-associated psychopathology, interfering with his athletic career. After receiving medals in a top competition, the subject entered into an unusual state of anxiety, depression, nervousness, and apathy and he completely stopped his training for five months. During this time, he neglected ADAMS system controls, and was quoted by WADA to make legal arguments in his defense. He was diagnosed, with Relapsing Serious Depressive Disorder (269.3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) and a GAF between 45 and 50, and a Burnout Syndrome. An intervention was implemented over a five month period in the form of weekly sessions. It was based on Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP); Teaching effective use of well-adapted coping strategies and Social support. After hearing Sport Psychologist allegations by consensus, allowing him to compete. Resumo Apresenta-se um estudo de caso de um atleta de elite que desenvolveu uma psicopatologia que interferia com a sua carreira desportiva. Depois de ganhar duas medalhas numa competição internacional, entrou num estado de ansiedade, depressão e apatia, interrompendo os treinos durante cinco meses. Ao longo desse tempo não compareceu ao sistema ADAMS e foi convocado pelo Controle Anti-Doping da WADA para alegações de defesa. Foi-lhe diagnosticado um transtorno depressivo recorrente major (269,3x, DSM-IV-TR, 2002) com um GAP entre 45 e 50 e um Síndrome de Burnout. A intervenção durou cinco meses com uma sessão semanal baseada na psicoterapia psicodinâmica breve, ensino de estratégias de coping e suporte social. Na sequência das alegações do psicólogo, por consenso, foi-lhe permitido que voltasse a competir.

Rowing Over the Edge: Nonfunctional Overreaching and Overtraining Syndrome as Maladjustment—Diagnosis and Treatment From a Psychological Perspective

A rigorous training schedule with insufficient recovery can lead to nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR) or overtraining syndrome (OTS). Research has suggested the multifactorial etiology of these phenomena. Stressors that contribute to and are symptoms and consequences of NFOR and OTS and adjustment disorder are almost identical. In this case study of an elite rower, the author illustrates an intervention approach that can be taken when overtraining is viewed as a sport-specific form of adjustment disorder. The intervention involved treatment that improved the athlete’s awareness of his basic biopsychosocial processes, developed sources of self-worth beyond athletic performance, and challenged his 1-dimensional athletic identity. The intervention included cognitive-behavioral therapy methods (e.g., autogenic training) and mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions to enhance the athlete’s psychological flexibility. Mood monitoring was used as a diagnostic and evaluative instrument. Intervention effectiveness was evaluated through an in-depth interview with the athlete. The consulting sport psychologist also engaged in reflection about treatment effectiveness and predominant challenges. Challenging the athlete and clarifying his personal values were judged to be very important. Evaluation suggested that viewing NFOR and OTS as forms of adjustment disorder may help us recognize the multifaceted nature of an athlete’s maladjusted state and widen treatment options.