Coping With the Demands of Professional Practice: Sport Psychology Consultants’ Perspectives

Abstract

29This study aimed to gain an insight into the general coping strategies used by sport psychology 30 consultants (SPCs) based in the UK, and an in-depth understanding of their development and 31 impact. In order to achieve these aims a mixed-method approach was adopted by means of two 32 linked studies. In study one, BASES accredited and/or BPS chartered SPCs (n = 29) completed 33 the modified COPE inventory (Crocker & Graham, 1995) to gain a better understanding of the 34 general coping strategies utilized by practitioners. In study two, follow-up interviews (n = 6) 35 with participants sampled from study one were conducted to explore how the reported strategies 36 were developed, the perceived impact of coping/not coping with stressors, and how future SPCs 37 may be better prepared for the stressful nature of consultancy. Findings suggested that the 38 participants had a statistically significant preference to using problem-focused coping strategies. 39Further, the interviews suggested that coping strategies were primarily developed through

Exploring stressors and coping among volunteer, part-time and full-time sports coaches

“…Self-reliance was another coping family that was frequently reported in this study, which supports recent published research by Didymus (2017). Within this theme, reflection was a frequently discussed strategy, which may be an important coping strategy for coaches because it can facilitate understanding of practice, learning from experience (e.g., Cropley et al 2016), and the development of coping skills to more effectively manage stressors. Our findings also highlight the influential role of mentors during coaches' coping efforts, which is yet to be fully discussed in published sport psychology research.…”

Stress and Mental Well-Being Experiences of Professional Football Coaches

“…Such contentions highlight the potential efficacy of coach education providers, NGBs, and clubs providing elite football coaches with greater opportunities to develop communities of practice (CoP). CoPs provide a safe and supportive environment in which individuals are able to interact with other coaches and engage in a process of collective learning that could enhance coping efforts directed at the interpersonally demanding aspects of their roles (Cropley et al, 2016).…”

Better Preparing Sports Psychologists for the Demands of Applied Practice: The Emotional Labor Training Gap

“…Also, neophytes warned against a lack of mandatory supervision or peer-mentoring following qualification, which left practitioner feeling isolated and unable to vent in a professional capacity. Despite achieving qualified psychologist status, ongoing feelings of imposter syndrome and uncertainty in their ability to act professional could have been mitigated through effective reflective practice focused on the emotional practicalities of working as a psychologist (Cropley, Baldock, Mellalieu, Neil, Wagstaff, & Wadey, 2016).…”