A systematic review of interventions to promote growth following adversity

Abstract

Background: Athletes experience adversity across many aspects of their lives. Challenging the dominant idea that adversity is just a negative experience, a significant body of research in sport has demonstrated that these adverse events can also act as catalysts for positive change (Howells, Fletcher, & Sarkar, 2017). Yet, a limited number of researchers have focused on how to promote growth following adversity in sport. To support this line of inquiry our aim in this study was to facilitate knowledge transfer from other psychology disciplines by systematically reviewing intervention studies that aim to foster growth following adversity. Methods: We conducted the systematic review using PRISMA guidelines. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, we appraised the studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (Pluye & Hong, 2014). Results:Thirty-six studies were included in the review. We synthesized the studies in relation to participant characteristics (i.e., sample size, age, gender, ethnicity, adversity), study characteristics (i.e., design, content, duration, delivery, outcome measures), intervention outcomes (i.e., statistical significance, effect size, qualitative indicators of growth), antecedents (viz. mediators, moderators), and quality appraisal. Conclusion: In the discussion we critically consider the lessons sport and exercise psychology researchers can learn from published intervention studies from other fields of research (e.g., the use of meaningful metrics, that there are different trajectories of growth, growth is a multidimensional phenomenon). Future researchers should seek to build on findings to advance knowledge and understanding in the most significant and meaningful ways.

Análisis de red del Inventario de Crecimiento Postraumático (PTGI-X) en adultos peruanos con familiares fallecidos por COVID-19 en función del sexo

“…Por ejemplo, en el presente estudio hay una mayor activación de las conexiones de los dominios de cambio espiritual-existencial, apreciación por la vida y relaciones interpersonales que promueven el mantenimiento sistemático del CPT, conformados por variables que son probabilísticamente dependientes en mayor grado que los otros elementos de la red. Por tanto, estos dominios son de mayor interés para intervenir a aquellas personas que han sufrido traumas relacionados a la muerte de un ser querido que favorezcan su crecimiento y su proceso de duelo (Howells et al, 2020) desde el modelo psicoterapéutico integrado del CPT que incluyen características narrativas, interpersonales y existenciales (Tedeschi y Moore, 2021).…”

Stress-Related Growth in Elite Sport Performers: Qualitative Differentiators in Psychosocial Mechanisms

“…Moreover, the intervention studies aimed at promoting growth in the wider growth literature have shown mixed efficacy (cf. Howells et al, 2020). In helping contribute to research addressing the genuine unknowns of how to promote growth following negative experiences, as noted by Howells and colleagues, this paper offers suggestions of which psychological mechanisms are important to enhance, build, and develop within athletes.…”

Exploring adversity and the potential for growth among Iron[wo]man competitors

“…In the sport psychology literature, it is established that sport-related adversity can catalyze athlete growth and facilitate elite performance (Galli & Reel, 2012;Howells et al, 2020;McCormick et al, 2018;Roy-Davis et al, 2017;Sarkar et al, 2015;Tamminen et al, 2013;Wadey et al, 2013). For example, Connaughton and colleagues (2010), and Galli and Reel (2012), examined the impact of sport-related adversity on athletic performance for both men and women elite athletes.…”

“…According to Stebbins (2007), "serious leisure" consists of the "…systematic pursuit of an amateur, a hobbyist, or a volunteer activity sufficiently substantial and interesting for the participant to find a career there in the acquisition and expression of a combination of its special skills, knowledge, and experience" (p. 5). Using recent feminist theory on popular and neoliberal feminism (Banet-Weiser, 2015;Banet-Weiser, et al, 2020;Rottenburg, 2014) to frame our discussion and analysis, our study combines feminist leisure studies (e.g., Dilley & Scraton, 2010;Lamont et al, 2019;Lloyd & Little, 2010;Shaw, 1994;Wearing, 1998) and sport psychology (e.g., Galli & Reel, 2012;Howells et al, 2020;McCormick et al, 2018;Roy-Davis et al, 2017;Sarkar et al, 2015;Tamminen et al, 2013;Wadey et al, 2013) to examine the experiences of seven women Ironman athletes.…”