The Conceptualisation of an Irrational Climate: The Development and Validation of the Perceived Irrational Climate Questionnaire for Athletes (PICQ-A)

Bailey, Ryan Gregory (2025) The Conceptualisation of an Irrational Climate: The Development and Validation of the Perceived Irrational Climate Questionnaire for Athletes (PICQ-A). Doctoral thesis (PhD), Manchester Metropolitan University.

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Abstract

Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is the original cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and was developed by Albert Ellis in 1955. The premise of REBT suggests it is not the situation which causes emotional, cognitive, and behavioural dysfunction, but rather, the way in which one internalises what this situation says about them. Whilst climate-based research exists (e.g., motivational and perfectionist climates), no research has explored the influence of climates emphasising irrational or rational beliefs. Climate refers to the perception of signals sent by key individuals within an environment (Castro-Sánchez et al., 2018). Specifically, within sports, research has largely focused on motivational climates, with the theoretical underpinning of achievement goal theory (AGT; Nicholls, 1984). However, climate research has been more recently explored in the realm of perfectionism (e.g., Hill & Grugan, 2020). A perfectionistic climate is predicated on the underlying theory of AGT, much like a motivational climate. Therefore, there is a missing link between climate research and REBT, or any underlying theory other than AGT. Applying REBT to climate research allows for greater understanding of the underlying thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of those within a sporting environment. As a result, the present PhD introduces the concept of an irrational climate. To provide validity to the theory, there is a need for the concept to be measured. Although there is no current measure, given it is a new concept, this PhD proceeded to develop the perceived irrational climate questionnaire for athletes (PICQ-A). In order to do this, the guidelines for scale development by Boateng and colleagues (2016) which followed a process of item generation, item refinement, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, criterion validity, and test re-test reliability. As a result, the 28-item PICQ-A was developed. The PICQ-A has two different factor models, the first is related to the irrational beliefs derived from REBT (Global evaluation of worth (GEW) and Demandingness, awfulising, frustration intolerance (DAFI)) and the other is related to the key stakeholders identified as influencing sporting climates (coach, teammates, environment). The PICQ-A was found to be positively associated with measures of perfectionistic and motivational climate, as well as performance irrational beliefs. This suggests that the PICQ-A is a valid measure in relation to irrational beliefs and climate. Additionally, the PICQ-A was positively associated with several negative consequences or outcomes of irrationality, such as negative emotions (e.g., anger) and autocratic coaching styles. This suggests that an irrational climate is associated with unhelpful and dysfunctional emotional and behavioural consequences. Implications for applied practice and the contribution to theory were explored, along with limitations and recommendations for future research.