Exploratory study of mindfulness in modern-day sport psychology consulting relationships

Abstract

This study explored sport psychology practitioners’ mindfulness in relation to the quality of consulting relationships and value within contemporary practice. A total of 34 sport psychology practitioners from South Africa (n = 22, females = 41%) and the United Kingdom (n = 12, females = 25%) (Private practice = 68%; 15+ years’ experience = 44%) participated in this study. Data were gathered, using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), Working Alliance Inventory Short-Revised Form (WAI-SRT), and interviews. Spearman’s rank order correlation and thematic content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Higher levels of practitioners’ mindfulness were associated with superior consulting relationships. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between mindfulness attributes of observing, describing, non-reacting ability, and quality of the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and agreement on goals and tasks with clients respectively. Thematic analysis suggested mindfulness to facilitate accurate attending to present-moment experiences, and empathetic understanding of clients’ unique needs.

Keywords:

• applied sport psychology (ASP)
• consulting relationship
• mindfulness
• sport psychology practitioner

Acknowledgements

This work is based on the research supported by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South Africa, through the Department of Higher Education and Training Research Development Grant (RDG). Mrs Eileen Pearse (eileenpearse@ mweb.co.za) assisted with the language editing of this paper.