Department(s)
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Document Type
Article
Version Deposited
Published version
Publication Date
2023
Keywords
Competitive anxiety, Executive functions, Mindfulness, Perfectionism, REBT, Salivary cortisol
Abstract
Background: In the current study, we conducted a comparative analysis involving three distinct groups: one receiving group-based rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), another undergoing a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI), and a third group serving as the control. The aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of the two interventions on specific psychological (competitive anxiety, perfectionism, irrational beliefs), physiological (salivary cortisol levels), and neurocognitive (executive functions: working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) functions in Hungarian junior ice hockey players. Methods: The participants consisted of 10 females and 36 males (NREBT=12, NMINDFULNESS=14, NCONTROL=20). We used questionnaires to assess competitive anxiety, perfectionism, and irrational beliefs. The components of executive functions were measured using a computerized testing system, while cortisol levels were examined through salivary samples. Prior to and after the interventions, each participant underwent all measurements, after which we conducted repeated measures ANOVA on our data. Results: We found REBT to be an effective intervention for the regulation of competitive anxiety, perfectionism, and irrational beliefs as well as for improving some components of executive functions (inhibition and cognitive flexibility). Mindfulness was found to improve athletes’ processing speed and set-shifting abilities, which are related to cognitive flexibility and metacognitive processes. Conclusion: In conclusion, we explore implications of these findings regarding how each approach is posited to enhance sports performance, using neurocognitive functions as a proxy. These findings are useful for further research and practical implications.
Publication Title
BMC Psychology
E-ISSN
20507283
Volume
11
Issue
1
DOI
10.1186/s40359-023-01486-8
PubMed ID
38104142
Recommended Citation
Tóth, Renátó; Turner, Martin James; Mannion, Joe; and Tóth, László, "The effectiveness of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on psychological, physiological and executive functions as a proxy for sports performance" (2023). Pepperdine University, All Faculty Open Access Publications. Paper 333.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/faculty_pubs/333
Comments
Publication can be accessed at this link: https://10.1186/s40359-023-01486-8