Sport psychological skills training and psychological well-being

Abstract

The impact of psychological skills training (PST) package programs on life, health,
well-being in general and South African youth in particular has been relatively
neglected. For example, prior to this research the impact of PST on the core health
component of psychological well-being had not been evaluated, nor had the
conceptual and/or empirical relationship between psychological skills and
psychological well-being been investigated. While PST is often conducted
individually due to its personal and specific nature, group training should not be
overlooked especially in South Africa where community interventions are an
important part of health promotion. With the above considerations in mind a
triangulated design involving individual, group and community interventions, as well
as elite and expert case studies was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of a PST
program and to investigate the relationship between psychological skills and
psychological well-being. Results based on quantitative and qualitative outcome and
process measurements indicated general improvement in psychological skills,
psychological well-being and sporting performance. Psychological skills and
psychological well-being were found to be interrelated concepts, with overlapping
components. Recommendations for ongoing and future research at individual, group
and community level are made.

Keywords: Psychological skills training; Psychological well-being; Sporting performance.

SAJRSPER Vol. 30 (1) 2008 pp. 15-28