Experiences of Sport Psychology Consultants Working with Perfectionist Athletes
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Authors
Hill, Charles D.
Issue Date
2011
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Perfectionism has been defined as the setting of excessively high standards of performance combined with overly critical self-evaluation (Frost, Marten, Lahart, & Rosenblate, 1990). There are aspects of perfectionism that drive athletes to succeed and reach high levels of performance while there are also features which are associated with debilitative, self-critical patterns of thinking. This study examined the experiences of sport psychology consultants working with perfectionist athletes, including observed characteristics of perfectionism, views of perfectionism in sport, and methods of non-clinical intervention. The researcher interviewed nine sport psychology consultants, four males and five females, who had previously worked with athletes on issues of perfectionism from a non-clinical approach. These participants resided in various regions of the U.S. and worked with athletes from a range of sports and levels of competition. Five interviews were conducted over the phone and four were in person. Data from participant interviews was analyzed through content analysis. Results regarding the recognition of perfectionist tendencies in athletes and the successful application of cognitive-behavioral techniques in reducing the debilitating effects of perfectionism in sport should broaden the understanding of sport psychology consultation with perfectionist athletes. Practical applications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are presented.