Attitudes toward sport psychology consulting of adult athletes from the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany

Abstract

MANCOVA was conducted with past sport psychology consulting experience as a covariate and attitudes about sport psychology as dependent variables. Follow-up univariate and discriminant function analyses were then performed to identify the attitudes that maximized differences related to gender, nationality and type of sport. Results revealed that attitudes about sport psychology services might be influenced by gender, nationality, and type of sport. Sport psychology practitioners must be sensitive to how personal characteristics and past experiences influence athletes' expectations and attitudes toward sport psychology consulting to improve the services they offer.

Irish Athletes’ Attitudes Toward Seeking Sport Psychology Consultation

“…When compared to the mean data reported by Martin et al (2004), it was found that New Zealand athletes had a more positive attitude toward sport psychology as evidenced by significantly lower average scores than United States, United Kingdom, and German athletes on the lack of Personal Openness and Stigma Tolerance subscales, and significantly higher scores on Confidence in Sport Psychology Consulting. The New Zealand athletes also scored highest on Cultural Preference suggesting that they most strongly identified with their own culture, and expressed greatest preference for working with a sport psychologist from their own background.…”

“…In order to compare results from the Irish athletes with data collected by Martin et al (2004) and Anderson et al (2004), a series of planned comparisons using independent group t-tests with Bonferroni corrections were undertaken and effect sizes calculated using Cohen's d (Cohen, 1977).…”

“…The aim of this study, therefore, was to replicate previous research using the SPA-R to collect data on Irish athletes' attitudes toward sport psychology and compare results from the Irish athletes with data collected by Martin et al (2004) and Anderson et al (2004).…”

“…Both Anderson et al (2004) and Martin et al (2004) (Furnham & Andrew, 1996). Therefore, differences between athletes from different countries on their attitudes toward sport psychology may also be evident .…”

How do Coaches’ Attitudes Change When Exposed to a Sport Psychology Workshop?

“…It is possible that perceptions and attitudes toward SP have become more favorable as the field has grown in visibility since the 1980's. In addition, Martin, Lavallee, Kellman, and Page (2004) found that types of sport may influence attitudes toward SP consultation. For instance, athletes in physical non-contact sports, such as swimming, held a more positive view of SP consulting compared to athletes in physical contact sports.…”