73 Suchergebnisse
Journal Article
2023Peer reviewed

The Mental Health of Swiss Elite Athletes

Mental health is an important topic in competitive sports, but there is only limited data from Switzerland. Although mental health is a prominent topic, it is difficult to estimate the efforts of Swiss sports federations to promote mental health. A representative sample of Swiss athletes (N = 1003, Mage = 21.69, SDage = 7.09, 54% women, 37% team sports, 10% injured) answered questions about symptoms of mental health problems and their well-being. We also asked about the extent of basic need satisfaction and perceived organizational support. Overall, the numbers on symptoms of mental health problems (17% depression, 10% anxiety, 22% eating disorders, 18% sleep disorders) and well-being are comparable to other elite sport samples and the general Swiss population. However, we found large group differences. For example, 52% of women athletes were affected by at least one mental disorder symptom, compared with 30% of men athletes. Injured athletes were most affected in terms of depressive symptoms. The study also shows that need satisfaction and frustration in conjunction with demographic factors is related to well-being and symptoms of mental health problems. Furthermore, the more support athletes perceive from their federations, the better their mental health. We conclude that a substantial proportion of athletes are affected by symptoms of mental disorders and more measures are needed to improve this situation, for example through supporting need satisfaction in the sport setting.

Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan; Ackeret, Nadja; Peter, Claudio; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Journal Article
2023Peer reviewed

Measures to protect and promote elite athletes’ mental health in Swiss sports

Introduction This paper addresses the growing concern surrounding mental health in elite sports. Acknowledging that national sports systems vary in structure and that any evaluation of these issues must necessarily be country-specific, the study explores current mental health provisions in Switzerland. Method Based on the feedback of 31 experts, including athletes and representatives from sporting organizations, the study evaluates four aspects of existing measures: formulation of a mental health plan, mental health care provision, athlete support systems, and provisions for high-risk events. Results The findings highlight two key issues. First, experts clearly have different views about mental health initiatives in Swiss sports for reasons that may include variations in access to information, program visibility, regional and sport-specific differences, and emerging strategies that have not yet been widely embraced. Second, despite these disparities, the experts unanimously agreed that some basic mental health measures remain unimplemented. Conclusion These findings highlight a pressing need for basic interventions such as mental health screening and improved mental health literacy. Another recommended priority is to design and implement a holistic national mental health plan informed by the collaborative contributions of all stakeholders. Furthermore, this discourse on mental health must be in coordination with ongoing dialogues on ethics in sports.

Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Präsentation
2023

Helping athletes to thrive: A conceptual framework for the promotion of mental health, well-being and performance in sport

Sport is an area of life that is strongly driven by the desire for performance which can encourage athletes to neglect their health and wellbeing. It is therefore not surprising that research on mental health in sport has found prevalence of diagnosable psychiatric disorders ranging from 4% to 68% (Elbe & Nylandsted Jensen, 2016). Thriving describes a combination of high well-being (i.e., flourishing) and a sustained high level of performance (Brown et al., 2018) and could therefore be an ideal term to promote both in this kind of environment. The purpose of this poster is to provide a conceptual framework indicating coaches’ fields of action for the promotion of athletes’ mental health, well-being and performance (i.e., thriving). Literature on the promotion of mental health and wellbeing within the sport setting was searched and critically reviewed. In this evaluation two sources were found to be especially helpful as foundation of such a conceptual framework. One source was a scoping review investigating risk and protective factors for mental health in elite athletes (Kuettel & Larsen, 2020). The second article presented a conceptual model for mental health and performance of North American athletes (Ayala et al., 2022). The new framework defines six areas in which coaches have primary responsibility for promoting the thriving of their athletes (i.e., mental health stigma; mental health literacy; social support and team relationship; psychological needs satisfaction; intentional practice with a strong focus on injury and overtraining prevention; career management). In three other areas coaches have a supporting role (i.e., self-awareness; mindfulness; set back and stress management including psychological skills training). The proposed conceptual framework can be used to enable coaches to strengthen flourishing and performance of their athletes in a proactive manner.

Birrer, Daniel; Ackeret, Nadja; Schwa, Laurie
Published
Journal Article
2022Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Associations of self-compassion with shame, guilt, and training motivation after sport-specific daily stress-a smartphone study

Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan; Messerli, Tania; Krieger, Tobias; Berger, Thomas; Birrer, Daniel,
Published
Journal Article
2022Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Six-month stability of individual differences in sports coaches’ burnout, self-compassion and social support,

Ackeret, Nadja; Röthlin, Philipp; Allemand, Mathias; Krieger, Tobias; Berger, Thomas; Znoj, Hansjörg; Kenttä, Göran; Birrer, Daniel; Horvath, Stephan,
Published
Journal Item
2021Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Helping athletes flourish using mindfulness and acceptance approaches – an introduction and mini review.

Mindfulness and acceptance are core concepts of the third wave of cognitive and behavioral psychotherapies. Their aim is not to overpower thoughts and emotions by suppression and using control techniques but to change the relationships with them. This article focuses on mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches in sports. It briefly outlines these approaches and concludes that they are characterized by promoting three processes, which are present-moment attention, metacognitive awareness, and acceptance. Subsequently, the paper describes one approach particularly suitable for sports in detail—Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—with a special focus on how athletes can promote psychological flexibility and thrive in their effort to perform. This paper further addresses the question of whether mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches are effective in sports by summarizing research from the past five years in the form of a mini-review. Findings from 19 reviewed studies, including 15 controlled or randomized controlled studies, suggest that different athlete populations can benefit from mindfulness- and acceptance-based approaches in terms of athletic performance and well-being. Positive effects on performance and well-being could be mediated by other psychological processes, e.g., enhanced emotion regulation. Further research is needed, especially regarding the mechanisms that impact mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions in sports.

Birrer, Daniel; Röthlin, Philipp; Morgan, Gareth
Published
Journal Item
2021Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Monitoring strain and recovery in athletes. Application of a short inventory of perceptual well-being

The right balance between stress and recovery is important to improve an athlete’s performance (e.g., super compensation) and prevent overtraining and injuries. Although there are a number of objective (e.g., physiological or biochemical) indicators for the stress-recovery balance, they are outperformed by subjective indicators (i.e., self-reports on strain and recovery). In the present paper, a six-item inventory to monitor physical and mental strain and recovery in sports is presented. Based on empirical findings, and experiences from sport psychological practice in different sports, we discuss the pros and cons of self-report monitoring tools. On a more general level, we give advice on how and when to use such monitoring tools. In addition, we describe how different settings (e.g., monitoring during a whole season vs. monitoring before important competitions, like the Olympic Games) and samples (team vs. individual sports) might affect how such a monitoring tool is used and on what factors a successful application might depend. Finally, we offer guidelines on how to respond to unexpected monitoring results, ranging from clarifying discussions between athletes and (athletic) coaches to sport psychological consultations.

Horvath, Stephan; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Präsentation
2021Leistungssport / Sportpsychologie

Development of Non-functional Overreaching and Overtraining Syndrome: Does Habitual Mindfulness have a Buffering Effect?

Introduction Non-functional overreaching (NFOR) and overtraining syndrome (OTS) are highly feared phenomena in competitive sports. Research has suggested the multifactorial aetiology of NFOR/OTS and causes, symptoms and consequences are almost identical with the ones of adjustment disorder (AD). Additionally, mindfulness and acceptance based approaches and their stress-buffering role have been shown to be effective in the treatment of AD. This contribution aims to explore the stress-buffering effect of habitual mindfulness on the development of overtraining states viewed as a sport-specific form of AD. Methodology 580 athletes (women=320; men=260; Mage=21.3) from 6 different sports completed a17-item survey about underperformance and symptoms of NFOR/OTS in their past career and the Comprehensive Inventory of Mindfulness Experience. Athletes were classified as NFOR/OTS or no-overreaching (NO)/functional overreaching (FOR) according to the overtraining definition of the ECSS. Data were analysed using logistic regression and ANOVA. Results NO/FOR athletes revealed significantly higher habitual mindfulness values in present moment awareness, acceptance and metacognitive awareness than athletes classified as NFOR/OTS. Logistic and multinomial regression suggested that especially acceptance might have an influence on the buffering effect on the development of NFOR/OTS. An enhancement of 1 unit in acceptance reduces the risk of being in the NFOR/OTS group by 55%. Discussion Although OTS and AD are multi-causal phenomena, habitual mindfulness seems to have a buffering influence on the development of these maladaptive psychological processes. In this context, the process of acceptance seems to play a significant role. Nevertheless, the role of present-moment awareness and meta-cognitive awareness should be further investigated.

Birrer, Daniel; Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan
Published
Präsentation
2021Leistungssport / Sportpsychologie

Dancing with the ACT Processes to Maintain Psychological Flexibility in the Face of the Pandemic Challenged Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The goal of acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) is to help people to enhance their psychological flexibility in order to bring them closer to living a valued life. Generally, the world of elite sport is very outcome oriented and living a valued life means for many athletes to strive for performance and prove their ability in competition. In many sports, participation and success at the Olympic Games is considered the pinnacle of an athletic career. Accordingly, the cancellation or postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has unsettled many athletes and put them under stress in various forms and to varying degrees. Psychological flexibility has never been more in demand than in these days of global pandemic with the uncertainties of canceled competitions, postponed selections and the uncertainty about the feasibility of newly announced competition calendars. The value system of many athletes and their acceptance of what is in consciousness and what may arise or come into consciousness has been questioned and questioned. This made guiding athletes during this challenging time a perpetual and repetitive dance with the 6 ACT processes. This short presentation uses examples from working with athletes in preparation for the 2020 Olympics to show how the ACT processes were used and what it means to build real acceptance, readiness, and openness. It showed that the Self-as-Context process is a central link between Values, Acceptance, Present Moment Awareness, Defusion and Committed Action. Sportsperson with strong athletic identities sometimes seem to have ego-boosting obsessions and manifest a strong tendency of self-esteem protection. Relying on performance as source of self-worth is not possible when athletes are not allowed to compete. Working on the Self-as-Context process can reduce absorption in the self (e.g., being focused on a constructed and conceptualized ego), which is also implicit in the practice of mindfulness within a Buddhist context and sometimes forgotten in a more secular and culturally adapted western form of mindfulness. Being able to let go of a problematic conceptualized self can liberate athletes from non-functional attempts to protect their self-esteem and make movements towards a more balanced life even when circumstances restrict a normal way of life.

Birrer, Daniel
Published
Book Item
2020Leistungssport / SportpsychologieNot peer reviewed

Helping athletes defuse and accept: thoughts and emotions are not the enemies

Birrer, Daniel; Diment, Greg; Schmid, Olivier
Published
Book Item
2020Leistungssport / SportpsychologieNot peer reviewed

Mindfulness and acceptance approaches: do they have a place in elite sport?

Henriksen, Kristoffer; Haberl, Peter; Baltzell, Amy; Hansen, Jakob; Birrer, Daniel; Hvid Larsen, Carsten
Published
Journal Article
2020Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Differential and shared effects of psychological skills training and mindfulness training on performance-relevant psychological factors in sport: a randomized controlled trial

Background Mental training intends to support athletes in mastering challenges in sport. The aim of our study was to investigate the differential and shared effects of psychological skills training and mindfulness training on psychological variables relevant to athletic performance (e.g., handling emotions or attention control). We assumed that each approach has its own strengths (e.g., mindfulness has a differential effect on the acceptance of emotions), but for some goals (e.g., attention control), both training forms are expected to be equally successful (i.e., shared effects). Methods A total of 95 athletes (Mage = 24.43, SDage = 5.15; 49% female) were randomly assigned into three groups: psychological skills training intervention (PST), mindfulness training intervention (MT), and wait-list control group (WL). Participants completed a questionnaire battery before and after the training (pretest and posttest). We assessed mindfulness, use of mental strategies, handling of emotions, attention in training and competition, as well as the dealing with failure. The two intervention programs each consisted of four 90-min group workshops conducted over a period of 4 weeks. Results Both interventions passed the manipulation check, that is, PST led to more mental strategies being used (probabilities > 95%), and MT led to an increase in two of three aspects of mindfulness (probabilities > 98%) when compared to WL. Compared to WL, both interventions equally improved in the ability to not let emotions interfere with performance (probabilities > 99%) and in controlling attention in training and competition (probabilities > 89%). To a lesser extend, both interventions showed shared improvements in dealing with failure indicated by more action orientation (probabilities > 82%). We found a differential effect of MT on decreased experiential avoidance: MT decreased compared to WL and PST (probabilities > 92%), whereas PST did not differ from WL. Conclusion We conclude that both forms of mental training lead to improvements in performance-relevant psychological factors, especially concerning the handling of emotions and attention control. The results of our study suggest that different paths may lead to the desired outcomes, and accordingly, both forms of mental training seem justified.

Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan; Trösch, Severin; grosse Holtforth, Martin; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Thesis
2020

Psychische Anforderungen im Hochleistungssport und mentale Strategien zu deren Bewältigung.

Die Dissertation untersuchte mit 5 Publikationen (2 Reviewartikel, 2 empirische Studien und eine Case Study) die spezifischen Anforderungen an Hochleistungssportler und mit welchen mentalen Strategien diese Anforderungen idealerweise bewältigt werden können. Der erste Review Artikel versuchte aufgrund des Studiums des bisherigen Forschungsstandes die wichtigsten Anforderungen und deren Bewältigungsstrategien in hochintensiven Sportarten zu ermitteln. Eine empirische Studie untersuchte Inhalte und Themen der sportpsychologischen Interventionen von Delegationsmitgliedern der Schweizer Olympiadelegationen 2006, 2008 und 2010 (N = 575). Der zweite Reviewartikel ging ebenfalls der Frage nach, welche psychologischen Anforderungen Hochleistungssportler zu bewältigen haben und inwiefern dass Achtsamkeit den Sportlern helfen könnte, diese Anforderungen besser zu bewältigen. Die zweite empirische Studie untersuchte daraufhin, welchen Einfluss dispositionelle Achtsamkeit und Wettkampfangst auf die sportliche Leistungserbringung von Spitzensportlern (N = 133) hat. Die Case Study beschreibt schliesslich die spezifischen Anforderungen eines Ruderers, indem eine Übertrainingsproblematik als sportspezifische Form einer Anpassungsstörung betrachtet wird und mit welchen Methoden der Sportler wieder erfolgreich zurück in seine sportliche Laufbahn begleitet wurde. In der Arbeit zeigte sich, dass die psychischen Anforderungen an einen Hochleistungssportler mit der Bewältigung der eigenen und fremden Leistungserwartungen, dem Umgang mit den eigenen nicht adaptiven motivationalen Schemata im Zuge der (sportlichen) Zielverfolgung und der Verfolgung der psychologischen Grundbedürfnisse, der Regulation der eigenen Emotionen und schlussendlich einem adaptiven Umgang mit Umweltfaktoren zu tun haben. Traditionsgemäss folgte psychologisches Training im Sport den Prinzipien der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie, wonach die Kontrolle von negativen, dysfunktionalen Kognitionen direkt zu veränderten affektiven Zuständen und damit direkt auch zu verändertem Verhalten führt. Neuere Ansätze der sogenannten dritten Welle der Verhaltenstherapie streben eine Verhaltensänderung über Achtsamkeit und Akzeptanz von unangenehmem inneren Erleben an. Durch eine Erhöhung von psychischer Flexibilität durch die Anwendung von akzeptanz- und achtsamkeitsbasierter Methoden sollten Sportler besser befähigt sein, die oben beschriebenen Anforderungen zu bewältigen. The dissertation examined with 5 publications (2 review articles, 2 empirical studies and a case study) the specific demands on high performance athletes and which mental strategies help to ideally cope with these demands. The first review article tried to identify the most important demands and their coping strategies in high-intensity sports based on the current state of research. An empirical study examined contents and topics of the onsite sport psychology consultancy of delegation members of the Swiss Olympic delegations in 2006, 2008 and 2010 (N = 575). The second review article addressed likewise the question of what psychological demands top athletes have to cope with and to what extent dispositional mindfulness could help athletes to cope better with these demands. The second empirical study examined thereupon the influence of dispositional mindfulness and competition anxiety on the performance of top athletes (N = 133). Finally, the case study describes the specific requirements of a rower by considering an overtraining problem as a sport-specific form of an adjustment disorder and by which methods the athlete was successfully accompanied back into his sports career. The studies showed that the psychological demands on a top athlete have to do with coping with one's own and others' performance expectations, dealing with one's own non-adaptive motivational schema in the course of pursuing (sporting) goals and pursuing basic psychological needs, regulating one's own emotions and finally dealing adaptively with environmental factors. Psychological training in sport has traditionally followed the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, according to which the control of negative, dysfunctional cognitions leads directly to altered affective states, and thus also directly to altered behavior. Newer approaches of the so-called third wave of behavior therapy aim at a change of behavior through mindfulness and acceptance of unpleasant inner experience. By increasing psychological flexibility through the application of acceptance and mindfulness based methods, athletes should be better able to cope with the demands described above.

Birrer, Daniel
Published
Präsentation
2020Leistungssport / Sportpsychologie

Mindfulness and ACT to enhance psychological flexibility

In the past few years mindfulness and acceptance based approaches have drawn much attention as suitable interventions in sports and a growing number of sport psychologists are using these methods in their applied work (e.g. Henriksen, Hansen, & Hvid Larsen, 2019). The aim of mindfulness and acceptance based interventions is not to overpower thoughts and emotions by suppression and using control techniques, but to change the relationship to these thoughts and emotions. Participants of this short half an hour workshop will be introduced to the six core processes of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) to enhance psychological flexibility. They will get to know examples of how to use the six core processes with athletes and experience the six ACT processes through small exercises themselves. Participants will be introduced to the work of teaching athletes to open up, accepting undesired unpleasant cognitions, emotions and sensations and mindfully engage in the present moment to follow their personal values.

Birrer, Daniel
Published
Book Item
2020Leistungssport / SportpsychologieNot peer reviewed

Contesting the role of self-talk in sport psychology in views of mindfulness, flow, and mind wandering

The purpose of this chapter was to review self-talk with respect to three contrasting phenomena: mindfulness, flow, and mind wandering. On important lesson learned in the first part of this chapter was that mindfulness may help to detect the nature of organic self-talk and let go of non-functional inner speech. With regards to flow, the discussion focused on the degree to which the signature qualities of flow are in conflict with the deliberate, rational, and cognitively demanding nature of strategic and goal-directed self-talk. In the last section, emphasis was placed on the similarities between the uncontrolled nature of unintentional mind wandering and spontaneous self-talk and the controlled and effortful nature of intentional mind wandering and goal-directed self-talk. Overall, it was concluded that this perspective-taking exercise in this chapter can be acknowledged as being paradigmatic, insofar as it has led to a deeper understanding of self-talk, mindfulness, flow and mind wandering.

Birrer, Daniel; Jackman, Patricia C.; Latinjak, Alexander T.
Published
Journal Article
2020Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Feasibility of Hypnosis on Performance in Air Rifle Shooting Competition

This study investigated the effect of a single hypnosis intervention on shooting performance in a 10-meter air rifle competition. Eight shooting athletes from the Swiss national team participated in the experiment; an A-B-A single case study design was used, with 2 baseline measurements. The results suggest that for 3 athletes the hypnosis intervention had a small positive effect on their performance compared to all other measurements, 6 subjects had small improvements compared to 1 baseline measurement, and 2 subjects had a performance decrease. Data from the participants’ subjective rating of the intervention effect and their satisfaction with it demonstrated feasibility and that all subjects experienced the hypnosis intervention as positive. Moreover, they commented that they felt calmer and more focused and self-confident when they began the competition. Therefore, it seems promising for shooting athletes to learn how to integrate hypnosis into their training regimens, but additional research is needed.

Mattle, Sabrina; Birrer, Daniel; Elfering, Achim
Published
Journal Article
2019Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Mental training in group settings: intervention protocols of a mindfulness and acceptance-based and a psychological skills training program

This article provides protocols of a mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention and a psychological skills training intervention. Both consist of four 90-minute group workshops in a time period of one month. All workshops were accompanied with methods that support behavioral change. We considered four principles in the program development to support behavioral change (i.e., supporting processing and learning of the workshop content, strengthening motivation to get involved with the program, promoting regular practice of formal exercises, reactivation of content between workshops). We conclude with evaluating the participants’ feedback on the workshops and by giving advice how practitioners could use these programs.

Röthlin, Philipp; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Book Item
2019Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Motivationstraining

Motivationstraining bezweckt die systematische Optimierung menschlichen Verhaltens via einer Erhöhung der Handlungsfrequenz, Verbesserung der –persistenz, Steigerung der -Intensität sowie der Verbesserung der Handlungsqualität. Unter Berücksichtigung der Phasen des Rubikon-Modells geschieht dies durch den Einbezug motivationaler Schemata zur Befriedigung psychologischer Grundbedürfnisse, weiterhin durch Werteklärungen, mentalem Kontrastieren, affektivem Vorerleben, systematischer Zielsetzungsarbeit, Implementierungsintentionen, Veränderung des motivationalen Klimas, attributionalem Feedback/ Retraining. Dieser Beitrag ist Teil der Sektion Sportpsychologie, herausgegeben vom Teilherausgeber Dieter Hackfort, innerhalb des Handbuchs Sport und Sportwissenschaft, herausgegeben von Arne Güllich und Michael Krüger.

Birrer, Daniel
Published
Journal Item
2019Leistungssport / SportpsychologiePeer reviewed

Go soft or go home? A scoping review of empirical studies on the role of self-compassion in the competitive sport setting

Self-compassion describes a supportive attitude towards oneself. Research outside the sport context suggests that self-compassion might be beneficial in terms of psychological processes that are helpful for athletic performance. At the same time, there are reasons to assume that athletes may fear a negative influence of SC on their self-improvement motivation. Therefore, it seemed worthwhile to clarify the role of self-compassion in the competitive sport setting by reviewing the current research. The aim of this scoping review is to give an overview of the current literature on SC in competitive sports and to answer the question, whether SC is helpful for competitive athletes. A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PSYNDEX, and SPORTDiscus. Eligibility criteria were peer-reviewed publication, publication in English, original research and research investigating self-compassion in competitive athletes. From 17 publications that met the inclusion criteria, we identified 19 studies, most of which were quantitative, employing a cross-sectional design. Additionally, we found only one intervention study, one experimental study and four qualitative studies using interviews. We provided an integrative narrative description of the study aims, hypotheses, methodological characteristics and study results. Based on the reviewed findings we concluded that in the future more intervention and longitudinal studies are needed. Furthermore, a comprehensive theoretical framework should be developed, which explains how SC is beneficial for athletes. Thus far, qualitative studies highlight the potential ambivalence of athletes towards SC (i.e., they expect benefits after failures but fear that too much SC leads to mediocrity). Quantitative research indicates that SC is beneficial for athletes’ well-being and their ability to deal with adversities in sports, whereas the role of self-compassion for self-improvement motivation remains unanswered.

Röthlin, Philipp; Horvath, Stephan; Birrer, Daniel
Published
Edited Book
2019Leistungssport / Sportpsychologie

Rhythmische Gymnastik – Herausforderungen und Lösungsansätze

Röthlin, Philipp; Birrer, Daniel
Published