Publication Details

AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS

SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH

psychology

Exploratory study of mindfulness in modern-day sport psychology consulting relationships

Journal of Psychology in Africa, Volume 26, No. 5, Year 2016

This study explored sport psychology practitioners’ mindfulness in relation to the quality of consulting relationships and value within contemporary practice. A total of 34 sport psychology practitioners from South Africa (n = 22, females = 41%) and the United Kingdom (n = 12, females = 25%) (Private practice = 68%; 15+ years’ experience = 44%) participated in this study. Data were gathered, using the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-SF), Working Alliance Inventory Short-Revised Form (WAI-SRT), and interviews. Spearman’s rank order correlation and thematic content analyses were employed to analyse the data. Higher levels of practitioners’ mindfulness were associated with superior consulting relationships. Specifically, positive correlations were observed between mindfulness attributes of observing, describing, non-reacting ability, and quality of the therapeutic bond, agreement on goals, and agreement on goals and tasks with clients respectively. Thematic analysis suggested mindfulness to facilitate accurate attending to present-moment experiences, and empathetic understanding of clients’ unique needs.

Statistics
Citations: 4
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 4
Study Design
Exploratory Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Study Locations
South Africa
Participants Gender
Female