Sport Psychology: Status, knowledge and use among elite level coaches and performers in Ireland

Abstract

The field of sport psychology is at a developmental stage in Ireland. The aim of this investigation was to examine current knowledge and use of sport psychology by elite level coaches and performers in Ireland with a view to assessing their future requirements in terms of sport psychology support services. Senior coaches (N=47) and elite/international performers (N=73) from a cross section of team and individual, contact and non-contact sports were surveyed. Subjects were asked for their personal definition and perception of the importance of sport psychology. They were also asked to rate 21 psychological constructs, typically identified by applied sport psychologists, in terms of importance and their perceived ability to successfully change/develop such attributes. Respondents were also asked about their actual use of sport psychology and the problems most frequently encountered. A final section of the survey dealt with current provision and future requirements for sport psychology support in Ireland. Results of the survey appear very supportive of the potential role of sport psychology in preparing elite performers with 80% of coaches and 88% of performers indicating an interest in having a sport psychologist work with them in the future. Coaches and performers showed agreement in their perceptions and current knowledge about sport psychology with the majority acknowledging that their current level of knowledge was fairly low. The generally supportive results are discussed in terms of the need to provide effective future support services to elite level sportspeople in Ireland.