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Liang P, Jiang H, Wang H, Tang J. Mindfulness and impulsive behavior: exploring the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness among high-level athletes in Central China. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1304901. [PMID: 38283206 PMCID: PMC10808761 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1304901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In the highly competitive field of sports, impulsive behavior by athletes not only threatens personal and team harmony but also poses significant risks to their careers and public image. Despite these behaviors often becoming the focus of public attention, their underlying causes and prevention strategies remain relatively unknown. This study delves deep into the impact of mindfulness on athletes' impulsive behavior, revealing the mediating roles of self-reflection and coping effectiveness. Methods Using a combination of snowball and convenience sampling, a sample of 403 athletes from high-level sports teams in the Central China region participated in a questionnaire survey. The data were analyzed using Amos v.23 software. Results The findings indicate a positive correlation between mindfulness and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.336, p < 0.001), as well as between self-reflection and coping effectiveness (standardized coefficient = 0.406, p < 0.001). There is a negative correlation between coping effectiveness and impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.476, p < 0.001). The positive impact of mindfulness on impulsive behavior (standardized coefficient = -0.371, p < 0.01) is mediated by self-reflection and coping effectiveness. The explanatory power of this study is R2 = 0.35. Discussion Mindfulness reduces impulsive behavior by enhancing self-reflection capabilities and improving coping effectiveness. Based on these substantive research results, to mitigate impulsive behavior in athletes, it is recommended that the National Sports Administration and coaches actively implement mindfulness training. Additionally, targeted psychological intervention strategies should be developed to enhance athletes' mental health levels and optimize their sports performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peili Liang
- School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
| | - Hongyu Jiang
- School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
| | - Huilin Wang
- School of Business, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
- Moray House School of Education, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jiaxin Tang
- School of Business, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, China
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Sánchez-Sánchez LC, Franco C, Amutio A, García-Silva J, González-Hernández J. Influence of Mindfulness on Levels of Impulsiveness, Moods and Pre-Competition Anxiety in Athletes of Different Sports. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060898. [PMID: 36981555 PMCID: PMC10048023 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Training in emotional regulation skills is one of the most important resources for the adaptation of athletes to contexts of sports pressure, especially during competitions. This study explored the effects of a mindfulness programme (Flow Meditation) on levels of impulsivity, mood and pre-competition anxiety-state in a sample of athletes (N = 41, 22.83 ± 5.62 years). Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (N = 21; 14 males and 7 females) which received the intervention over 10 weeks (a weekly session) and a control group (wait-list; N = 20; 13 males and 7 females). The variables under study were assessed through different questionnaires at pre- and post-test (T1-T2) in both groups. The mindfulness intervention was effective in reducing impulsivity (cognitive (t = -4.48, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.40), both motor (t = -4.03, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.20) and unplanned (t = -5.32, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.66)), mood (tension (t = -4.40, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.37), depression (t = -4.56, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.42), anger (t = -7.80, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.47), somatic anxiety (t = -5.28, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.65), and cognitive anxiety (t = -6.62, p ≤ 0.001, Cohen's d = 2.07) in the intervention group compared to the control group and with large to very large effect sizes. Mindfulness is a factor that enhances athletes' ability to cope with high sport pressure and the healthy management of competition (e.g., fear of failure), or with their daily life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Sánchez-Sánchez
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Faculty de Psychology, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja, 180071 Granada, Spain
| | - Clemente Franco
- Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Carretera Sacramento, S/N, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - Alberto Amutio
- Department of Social Psychology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena, S/N, 48940 Leioa, Spain
- Facultad de Educación y Ciencias Sociales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago de Chile 7591538, Chile
| | - Jaqueline García-Silva
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Faculty de Psychology, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja, 180071 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan González-Hernández
- Department of Personality, Evaluation and Psychological Treatment, Faculty de Psychology, University of Granada, Campus Cartuja, 180071 Granada, Spain
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Mascaro L, Drummond SPA, Leota J, Boardman JM, Hoffman D, Rajaratnam SMW, Aidman E, Facer-Childs ER. Cognitive fitness modulates gender differences in sleep and mental health among competitive athletes under chronic stress. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1118822. [PMID: 36969596 PMCID: PMC10031072 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1118822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Mental fitness is increasingly considered a key component of an athlete’s competitive arsenal. Active domains of mental fitness include cognitive fitness, sleep, and mental health; and these domains can differ between men and women athletes. Our study investigated the associations of cognitive fitness and gender to sleep and mental health, and the interaction between cognitive fitness and gender on sleep and mental health, in competitive athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: 82 athletes competing at levels from regional/state to international (49% women, M-age = 23.3 years) completed measures of self-control, intolerance of uncertainty, and impulsivity (together representing constructs of cognitive fitness), items about sleep (total sleep time, sleep latency, and mid-sleep time on free days) and a measure of mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress).Results: Women athletes reported lower self-control, higher intolerance of uncertainty, and higher positive urgency impulsivity compared with men athletes. Women reported sleeping later, but this gender difference disappeared after controlling for cognitive fitness. Women athletes—after controlling for cognitive fitness—reported higher depression, anxiety, and stress. Across genders, higher self-control was associated with lower depression, and lower intolerance of uncertainty was associated with lower anxiety. Higher sensation seeking was associated with lower depression and stress, and higher premeditation was associated with greater total sleep time and anxiety. Higher perseverance was associated with higher depression for men—but not women—athletes.Conclusion: Women athletes in our sample reported poorer cognitive fitness and mental health compared to men athletes. Most cognitive fitness factors protected competitive athletes under chronic stress, but some exposed them to poorer mental health. Future work should examine the sources of gender differences. Our findings suggest a need to develop tailored interventions aimed at improving athlete wellbeing, with a particular focus on women athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Mascaro
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sean P. A. Drummond
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Josh Leota
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Johanna M. Boardman
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoffman
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- St Kilda Football Club, Australian Football League, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shantha M. W. Rajaratnam
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eugene Aidman
- Defence Science & Technology Group, Edinburgh, SA, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Elise R. Facer-Childs
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- St Kilda Football Club, Australian Football League, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Elise R. Facer-Childs,
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