Evaluation of a resilience training program for college student-athletes: A pilot study

Figures & data

Table 1. Participant characteristics at baseline.

	All (n = 79)
Sex, % (n)
Male	45.6 (36)
Female	54.4 (43)
Age, mean (SD), years	20.94 (1.05)
Class year, % (n)
Freshman	0 (0)
Sophomore	22.8 (18)
Junior	41.8 (33)
Senior	26.6 (21)
Fifth Year	8.9 (7)
Race, % (n)
White	81.0 (64)
Nonwhite	19.0 (15)
Sport, % (n)
Rowing	12.7 (10)
Field hockey	12.7 (10)
Women’s Soccer	10.1(8)
Cross country and track and field	10.1 (8)
Baseball	78.9 (7)
Ice Hockey	6.3 (5)
Volleyball	6.3 (5)
Golf	6.3 (5)
Other	26.6(21)
Well-being score, mean (SD)	7.26 (1.36)
Resilience score, mean (SD)	72.49 (9.36)

Table 2. Pre- and post-test scores by outcome variable, mean (SD) (n = 63).

Outcome variable	Pretest mean (SD)	Post-test mean (SD)	p-value^a
Overall
Total knowledge score	12.69 (1.73)	12.73 (1.72)	0.8927
Total coping score	29.05 (4.50)	32.38 (5.62)	0.0004
Seeking social support	15.55 (3.11)	17.33 (3.62)	0.0037
Self-controlling	13.51 (2.30)	15.04 (2.65)	0.0007
Male
Total knowledge score	12.29 (1.59)	12.38 (1.69)	0.8287
Total coping score	29.29 (3.50)	32.39 (3.73)	0.0015
Seeking social support	15.43 (2.59)	17.19 (3.00)	0.0183
Self-controlling	13.85 (2.02)	15.20 (1.77)	0.0080
Female
Total knowledge score	13.06 (1.80)	13.05 (1.71)	0.9920
Total coping score	28.85 (5.30)	32.32 (6.97)	0.0243
Seeking social support	15.65 (3.55)	17.45 (4.15)	0.0627
Self-controlling	13.19 (2.52)	14.91 (3.27)	0.0201

^a p-values were based on paired t-test.

Table 3. Multi-variable analysis on changes in outcome scores before and after the program.

	Total knowledge		Total coping score		Seeking social support		Self-controlling
	β (SE)^a	p-value	β (SE)^a	p-value	β (SE)^a	p-value	β (SE)^a	p-value
Post- vs. pretest	0.067 (0.309)	0.8295	3.442 (0.929)	0.0003	1.851 (0.617)	0.0033	1.591 (0.451)	0.0006
Male vs. female	−0.741 (0.311)	0.0186	0.244 (0.933)	0.7944	−0.252 (0.619)	0.6852	0.495 (0.453)	0.2761
White vs. Nonwhite	−0.023 (0.443)	0.9595	0.677 (1.330)	0.6119	0.238 (0.882)	0.7876	0.438 (0.645)	0.4983
Age	−0.000 (0.001)	0.8470	−0.002 (0.004)	0.6709	−0.001 (0.003)	0.7105	−0.001 (0.002)	0.7127

^a Beta estimates were based on generalized linear regressions with repeated measures, adjusting for sex, age and race.

Table 4. Usefulness of program activities.

Program activity	Activity very or extremely helpful, n (%)
1. Mindfulness (mindful breath, STOP, meditation, R.A.I.N., other) (n = 43)	38 (88.4)
2. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (expectations, belly breath, power phrase, cue word, assertive communication, problem = challenge, worst case scenario, other) (n = 43)	36 (83.7)
3. Talking to others (n = 41)	35 (85.4)
4. Positive psychology (goal map/hope, gratitude, what went well, best possible selves, other) (n = 42)	34 (81.0)
5. Demands/pressures discussion (n = 44)	32 (72.7)
6. Icebreaker activity (introductions, rock/paper/scissors, favorite memory, easy energy enhancer, other) (n = 39)	16 (41.0)

Table 5. Most important things learned from the program.

Theme/Topic	Quotes
Coping mechanisms (n = 29)	“How to cope with stressors” “How to proactively cope” “Ways to manage stress”
Mindfulness and meditation (n = 20)	“Simple mindfulness meditation” “Mindfulness during stress” “Be mindful”
Positive Psychology (n = 15)	“How to think more positively” “Rephrase things to be more positive” “Be positive and realistic”
Gratitude (n = 12)	“Best ways to express gratitude” “Steps to gratitude” “To be grateful and remind myself of it”
It’s okay to be stressed (n = 11)	“It’s okay to be stressed/sad” “Stress is normal + okay to be felt” “Stress isn’t always bad and it’s necessary”
The Recognition, Acceptance, Interest, and Non-identification (RAIN) technique (n = 11)	“RAIN” “RAIN + other mechanisms to help with anxiety”
Belly breathing (n = 9)	“Belly breathing” “Belly breathes”
Resources (n = 7)	“Available resources” “Connections/resources”
Worst case scenario outlook (n = 7)	“Remember things could be worse” “Think worst case scenario”
Communication skills (n = 5)	“Communication with others” “How to communicate effectively” “Assertive communication”
Other (n = 23)	“You can talk to people to help” “Factors that contribute to stress” “Self-talk”