The Effects of a Brief Online Rational-Emotive-Behavioral-Therapy Program on Coach Irrational Beliefs and Well-Being

Bailey, Ryan and Turner, Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1975-5561 (2023) The Effects of a Brief Online Rational-Emotive-Behavioral-Therapy Program on Coach Irrational Beliefs and Well-Being. The Sport Psychologist. ISSN 0888-4781

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Abstract

Research into the psychology of coaching has been somewhat neglected in comparison to research on the psychological development of athletes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a brief online Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) programme on coach irrational beliefs and well-being. Coaching staff from an elite international canoeing team (n = 4) took part in a three 30–40-minute session REBT programme. Participants completed measures of irrational beliefs and mental wellbeing at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up (one month) time points. Visual analyses and social validation revealed that the intervention reduced irrational beliefs and enhanced mental well-being in two participants. However, REBT was more effective for some coaches than others, and follow-up data indicated a return to base levels in some coaches. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed, alongside practitioner reflections.