The relationship between coach criticism and athletes' anxiety: The role of mindfulness and self-judgment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2021.7.2.216Keywords:
Sport anxiety, Athletes’ perception of coach’s critical attitudes, Mindfulness, Self-compassion, Self-judgmentAbstract
Background and Aim: The sample included 184 adolescent athletes (150 boys and 34 girls), aged between 12 and 18 years old, who completed a protocol of self-report instruments assessing sports anxiety (SAS-2), the perception of coach’s critical attitudes (APoCCAS), mindfulness (CAMM) and self-compassion (SCS). Method: The sample included 184 adolescent athletes (150 boys and 34 girls), aged between 12 and 18 years old, who completed a protocol of self-report instruments assessing sports anxiety (SAS-2), the perception of coach’s critical attitudes (APoCCAS), mindfulness (CAMM) and self-compassion (SCS). Results: Sports anxiety showed a positive association with critical coach attitudes and self-judgment and a negative association with mindfulness. Mindfulness revealed a negative association with self-judgment and the athletes’ perception of the coach’s critical attitudes. Self-judgment was positively associated with the athletes’ perception of the coach’s critical attitudes. The regression model explained 45% of the variance in sports anxiety, with mindfulness and self-judgment being the only predictors. Path analysis results indicated that the athlete’s mindfulness and self-judgment fully mediated the effect of the athletes’ perception of the coach’s critical attitudes on sports anxiety. Conclusions: Results suggest that athletes who perceive more critical attitudes from the coach, who have more self-judgmental attitudes, and fewer mindfulness skills tend to have higher levels of sports anxiety. The present study is innovative in showing how these variables are associated, suggesting that the development of mindfulness skills and the reduction of self-judgmental attitudes can help decrease the impact of the coach’s critical attitudes on competitive anxiety.
Downloads
References
Bali, A. (2015). Psychological factors affecting sports performance. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 1(6), 92–95. https://bit.ly/3042HJO
Baltzell, A., & Akhtar, V. (2014). Mindfulness Meditation Training for Sport (MMTS) intervention: Impact of MMTS with Division I female athletes. The Journal of Happiness and Well-being, 2(2), 160-173. https://bit.ly/3243efv
Baltzell, A., Rothlin, P., & Kentta, G. (2020). Self-compassion in sport for courage and performance. Em K. Henriksen, J. Hansen, & C. Larsen (Eds.), Mindfulness and acceptance in sport (pp. 178–190). Routledge.
Bernier, M., Thienot, E., Pelosse, E., & Fournier, J. (2014). Effects and underlying processes of a mindfulness-based intervention with young elite figure skaters: Two case studies. The Sport Psychologist, 28, 302–315.
Breines, J., & Chen, S. (2012). Self-Compassion Increases Self-Improvement Motivation. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(9), 1133–1143. https://doi.org/cwz5
Brewin, C. R., Andrews, B., & Furnham, A. (1996). Self-critical attitudes and parental criticism in young women. British Journal of Medical Psychology, 69(1), 69–78. https://doi.org/ft9n97
Bühlmayer, L., Birrer, D., Röthlin, P., Faude, O., & Donath, L. (2017). Effects of mindfulness practice on performance-relevant parameters and performance outcomes in sports: A meta-analytical review. Sports Medicine, 47(11), 2309–2321. https://doi.org/gb4ffx
Carraça, B., Serpa, S., Rosado, A., & Palmi, J. (2018). The Mindfulness-Based Soccer Program (MBSoccerP): Effects on elite athletes. Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte, 18(3), 62–85. https://bit.ly/3wOjhcF
Côté, J., & Fraser-Thomas, J. (2007). Youth involvement in sport. Em P. R. E. Crocker (Ed.), Sport psychology: A Canadian perspective (266–294). Pearson Prentice Hall.
Cruz, J., & Gomes, A. (2007). Escala de Ansiedade no Desporto 2 – EAD-2. Manuscrito não publicado. Universidade do Minho.
Cunha, M., Galhardo, A., & Pinto-Gouveia, J. (2013a). Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM): Estudo das características psicométricas da versão portuguesa. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 26(3), 459–468. https://doi.org/g422
Cunha, M., Xavier, A., & Castilho, P. (2016). Understanding self-compassion in adolescents: Validation study of the Self-Compassion Scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 93, 56–62. https://doi.org/f8cc2r
Cunha, M. Xavier, A., & Vitória, I. (2013b). Avaliação da auto-compaixão em adolescentes: Adaptação e qualidades psicométricas da Escala de Auto-Compaixão. Revista de Psicologia da Criança e do Adolescente, 4(2), 95–117. https://bit.ly/3o3t4b0
Davis, L., & Jowett, S. (2010). Investigating the interpersonal dynamics between coaches and athletes based on fundamental principles of attachment. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 4(2), 112–132. https://doi.org/gjdwc3
Dehghani, M., Delbar Saf, A., Vosoughi, A., Tebbenouri, G., & Ghazanfari Zarnagh, H. (2018). Effectiveness of the mindfulness-acceptance-commitment-based approach on athletic performance and sports competition anxiety: A randomised clinical trial. Electronic Physician, 10(5), 6749–6755. https://doi.org/10.19082/6749
Ferguson, L., Kowalski, K., Mack, D., & Sabiston, C. (2014). Exploring self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being in young women athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 36(2), 203–216. https://doi.org/f52rwk
Ferguson, L., Kowalski, K., Mack, D., & Sabiston, C. (2015). Self-compassion and eudaimonic well-being during emotionally difficult times in sport. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(5), 1263–1280, https://doi.org/f7s8x6
Frazer, A. L., Fite, P. J., Stone, K. J., & Clinkenbeard, J. (2018). Parental criticism moderates sibling influence on proactive and reactive aggression. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(12), 4025–4032. https://doi.org/gfp25m
Frentz, D., McHugh, T., & Mosewich, A. (2019). Athletes’ experiences of shifting from self-critical to self-compassionate approaches within high performance sport. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(6) 1533–1571. https://doi.org/g423
Gaetano, R., Paloma, F., & Gaetano, A. (2015). Anxiety in the youth physical and sport activity. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(3), 227–230. https://doi.org/g424
Gilbert, P., Clarke, M., Hempel, S., Miles, J. N. V., & Irons, C. (2004). Criticising and reassuring oneself: An exploration of forms, styles and reasons in female students. The British Psychological Society, 43(1), 31–50. https://doi.org/bpgch9
Gilbert, P., & Irons, C. (2009). Shame, self-criticism, and self-compassion in adolescence. Em N. Allen & L. Sheeber (Eds.), Adolescent emotional development and the emergence of depressive disorders (pp. 195–214). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/ctkdr6
Grossbard, J., Smith, R., Smoll, F., & Cumming, S. (2009). Competitive anxiety in young athletes: Differentiating somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping: An International Journal, 22(2), 153–166. https://doi.org/dvqqtw
Halamová, J., Kanovský, M., Gilbert, P., Troop, N. A., Zuroff, D. C., Hermanto, N., Petrocchi, N., Sommers-Spijkerman, M., Kirby, J., Shahar, B., Krieger, T., Matos, M., Asano, K., Yu, F., Basran, J., & Kupeli, N. (2018). The factor structure of the forms of self-criticising/attacking & self-reassuring scale in thirteen distinct populations. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 40(4), 736–751. https://doi.org/g425
Hasanah, U., & Refanthira, N. (2020). Human problems: Competitive anxiety in sport performer and various treatments to reduce it. Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, 395, 144–148. https://doi.org/g43d
Hu, L., & Bentler, P. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modelling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/dbt
Huysmans, Z., & Clement, D. (2017). A preliminary exploration of the application of self-compassion within the context of sport Injury. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 39(1), 56–66. https://doi.org/gbmfw9
Josefsson, T., Ivarsson, A., Gustafsson, H., Stenling, A., Lindwall, M., Tornberg, R., & Böröy, J. (2019). Effects of Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) on sport-specific dispositional mindfulness, emotion regulation, and self-rated athletic performance in a multiple-sport population: An RCT study. Mindfulness, 10, 1518–1529. https://doi.org/gh8fw4
Jowett, S., & Poczwardowski, A. (2007). Understanding the coach-athlete relationship. Em S. Jowette & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 3–14). Human Kinetics.
Jowett, S., & Nezlek, J. (2011). Relationship interdependence and satisfaction with important outcomes in coach–athlete dyads. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 29(3), 287–301. https://doi.org/dnvrfr
Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hyperion.
Kaufman, K., Glass, C., & Arnkoff, D. (2009). Evaluation of Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE): A new approach to promote flow in athletes. Journal of Clinical Sports Psychology, 3(4), 334–356. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.3.4.334
Killham, M., Mosewich, A., Mack, D., Gunnell, K., & Ferguson, L. (2018). Women athletes’ self-compassion, self-criticism, and perceived sport performance. American Psychological Association, 7(3), 297–307. https://doi.org/gd3ngg
Kline, R. (2005). Principals and practice of structural equation modelling (2ª ed.). Guilford Press.
Koestner, R., Zuroff, D., & Powers, T. (1991). The family origins of adolescent self-criticism and its continuity into adulthood. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100(2), 191–197. https://doi.org/c2vbkx
Lee, K. H., Siegle, G. J., Dahl, R. E., Hooley, J. M., & Silk, J. S. (2015). Neural responses to maternal criticism in healthy youth. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(7), 902–912. https://doi.org/f72j5g
Machado, T., Paes, M., Alquiere, S., Osiecki, A., Lirani, L., & Stefanello, J. (2016). Ansiedade estado pré-competitiva em atletas de voleibol infanto-juvenis. Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte, 30(4), 1061–1067. https://doi.org/g426
Marôco, J. (2018). Análise estatística com o SPSS statistics (7ª ed.). Report Number.
McLeod, B., Weisz, J., & Wood, J. (2007). Examining the association between parenting and childhood depression: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 27(8), 986–1003. https://doi.org/b6xxzp
Mosewich, A., Crocker, P., Kowalski, K., & DeLongis, A. (2013). Applying self-compassion in sport: An intervention with women athletes. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 35(5), 514–524. https://doi.org/f5gzv3
Mosewich, A., Kowalski, K., Sabiston, C., Sedgwick, W., & Tracy, J. (2011). Self-compassion: A potential resource for young women athletes. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(1), 103–123. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.33.1.103
Neely, M., Schallert, D., Mohammed, S., Roberts, R., & Chen, Y. (2009). Self-kindness when facing stress: The role of self-compassion, goal regulation, and support in college students’ well-being. Motivation and Emotion, 33(1), 88–97. https://doi.org/cnzpsr
Neff, K. (2003). Self-compassion: an alternative conceptualisation of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/dsthm2
Norman, L., & French, J. (2013). Understanding how high performance women athletes experience the coach-athlete relationship. International Journal of Coaching Science, 7(1), 3–24. https://bit.ly/30pJT7M
Oliveira, S., Trindade, I., Rosado, A., Cunha, M., & Ferreira, C. (2021a). Development and initial validation of athletes’ perceptions of coach-related critical attitudes scale. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/g427
Oliveira, S., Rosado, A., Cunha, M., & Ferreira, C. (2021b). The compassionate coach scale as perceived by the athlete: development and initial validation in Portuguese athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/g428
Oliveira, S., Cunha, M., Rosado, A., & Ferreira, C. (2021c). Compassionate coach and psychological quality of life in Portuguese athletes: effect of mediating variables. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2020-0058
Palmi, J., & Solé, S. (2016). Intervenciones basadas en mindfulness (Atención Plena) en psicología del deporte. Revista de Psicología del Deporte, 25(1), 147–155https://bit.ly/306beMn
Pestana, M. H., & Gageiro, J. N. (2008). Análise de dados para ciências sociais. A complementaridade do SPSS (5ª ed.). Edições Sílabo.
Piló, D. (2013). Autocriticismo, estima corporal e sintomas de perturbação do comportamento alimentar em adolescentes do sexo feminino, praticantes de ballet e andebol [Tese de mestrado, Instituto Superior Miguel Torga]. Repositório do Instituto Superior Miguel Torga. https://bit.ly/3kFiANX
Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Xavier, A. (2010). O (in)sucesso na competição desportiva: a influência da aceitação e do auto-criticismo. Psychologica, 52(2), 361–386. https://doi.org/g429
Poczwardowski, A., Barott, J. E., & Jowett, S. (2006). Diversifying approaches to research on athlete–coach relationships. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 7(2), 125–142. https://doi.org/b68m59
Reis, N., Kowalski, K., Ferguson, L., Sabiston, C., Sedgwick, W., & Crocker, P. (2015). Selfcompassion and women athletes’ responses to emotionally difficult sport situations: An evaluation of a brief induction. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 16(3), 18–25. https://doi.org/f6whr5
Ribeiro, C., Gomes, A., Simães, C., Resende, R., & Moreira, D. (2016). Liderança, satisfação e perceção de rendimento desportivo: Estudo com atletas seniores. Journal of Sport Pedagogy & Research, 2(1), 72–86. https://bit.ly/3qdsObX
Rodriguez, M., & Ebbeck, V. (2015). Implementing self-compassion strategies with female college gymnasts. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 6(1), 44–53. https://doi.org/g43b
Santos, A., Lofrano-Prado, M., Moura, P., Silva, E., Leão, A., & Freitas, C. (2013). Ansiedade pré-competitiva em jovens atletas de nado sincronizado: uma análise à luz dos aspetos emocionais. Revista Da Educação Física/UEM, 24(2), 207–214. https://bit.ly/3wnCm5d
Scanlan, T., Babkes, M., & Scanlan, L. (2005). Participation in sport: A developmental glimpse at emotion. Em J. L. Mahoney, R. W. Larson, & J. S. Eccles (Eds.), Organised activities as contexts of development: Extracurricular activities, after-school and community programs (pp. 275–309). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.
Scott-Hamilton, J., Schutte, N., & Brown, R. (2016). Effects of a mindfulness intervention on sports-anxiety, pessimism, and flow in competitive cyclists. Applied Psychology: Health And Well-Being, 8(1), 85–103. https://doi.org/gdj4v6
Siekanska, M., Blecharz, J., & Wojtowicz, A. (2013). The athlete’s perception of coaches’ behavior towards competitors with a different sports level. Journal of Human Kinetics, 39(1), 231–242. https://doi.org/g43c
Spínola, D. (2019). A relação entre a capacidade de mindfulness e a ansiedade competitiva dos atletas de halterofilismo e powerlifting [Tese de mestrado, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias]. Repositório Científico Lusófona. https://bit.ly/3ovTFh3
Sutherland, L., Kowalski, K., Ferguson, L., Sabiston, C., Sedgwick, W., & Crocker, P. (2014). Narratives of young women athletes’ experiences of emotional pain and self-compassion. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 6(4), 499–516. https://doi.org/ggmv6c
Tabachnick, B., & Fidell, L. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6ª ed.). Pearson.
Walton, C., Baranoff, J., Gilbert, P., & Kirby, J. (2020). Self-compassion, social rank, and psychological distress in athletes of varying competitive levels. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50, 1-6. https://doi.org/gg2mnn
Weinberg, R., & Gould, D. 2017. Fundamentos da psicologia do esporte e do exercício. Artmed.
Wood, J., McLeod, B., Sigman, M., Hwang, W. C., & Chu, B. (2003). Parenting and childhood anxiety: Theory, empirical findings, and future directions. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(1), 134–151. https://doi.org/dmsw8f
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Rita Gama, Marina Cunha, Cláudia Ferreira, Ana Galhardo, Sara Oliveira
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The authors retain the copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License that allows the sharing of work and recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal.
