From Rifts to Rapport: A Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing (PDMS) Mindfulness Intervention for Enhancing Cohesion in Mixed-Gender, Coactive Teams

Abstract

The literature rarely addresses team cohesion for coactive sport teams that may have mixed-gender groups. To inform further research and practice, we described an evidence-based eight-week Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing (PDMS) mindfulness intervention for a mixed-gender collegiate cross country team. This intervention consisted of (a) three separate meetings with each gender group and (b) eight weekly mindfulness sessions with the entire team that facilitated discussions of team issues. Athlete comments suggested PDMS as a plausible approach for enhancing cohesion, understanding, and confidence in coactive teams. We offered recommendations and lessons learned for mental performance consultants to consider when implementing a similar intervention.

Keywords:

• Collegiate athletes
• cross country
• individual sport
• psychological skills
• team values

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.