The effects of a coping intervention on coping self-efficacy, coping effectiveness, and subjective performance among adolescent soccer players

Abstract

This study examined the effects of a coping effectiveness training for adolescent soccer players (CETASP) intervention on coping self-efficacy (CSE), coping effectiveness (CE), and subjective performance. The participants were five male soccer players aged between 13 and 14 years (M = 13.6, SD = 0.55), who played for an English Premier League Soccer Academy. A single-subject multiple-baseline, across individuals design was employed. Results suggested that participants' CSE, CE, and subjective performance improved as a result of the CETASP intervention. Additionally, the social validation findings indicated that the participants were satisfied with the development of their coping skills and enjoyed the CETASP. This study provides empirical support for a framework that applied practitioners can use in “real world” settings to develop effective coping among academy soccer players.

Keywords:

• single subject design
• performance
• stress management
• elite

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank the soccer academy for allowing us access to their players and all the academy soccer players who volunteered to participate in this study. The data presented here are based on the PhD work of the first author.