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As the practitioners requiring to be ‘more things to more people’, it became important to know third-party consumer perceptions of the role and advantages of sport psychology consultants (SPC), and the features that may affect such services being sought.
With the increased focus on quality assurance procedures, it is essential to understand the role and benefits of sport psychology consultants (SPC), and the characteristics that may influence such services being sought. Therefore in the present study, the author revealed that SPCs are the expert regarding performance enhancement and well-being. Coaches and parents prefer SPCs with strong interpersonal skills, extensive experience and training, and a known reputation.
As the practitioners requiring to be ‘more things to more people’, it became important to know third-party consumer perceptions of the role and advantages of sport psychology consultants (SPC), and the features that may affect such services being sought. The study 1 involved a qualitative thematic analysis method and study 2 involved a cross-sectional conjoint analysis method.
The study one comprised a total of 22 individuals who participated in semi-structured interviews to evaluate a) interpreting the role of SPC, b) the advantages of trying the services of an SPC, and, c) the salient features of an SPC that would affect the decisions on preference and likelihood to look consultant services on the side of their athlete/child. The study two involved a total of 115 individuals graded 32 practitioner profiles developed from Study 1, with a conjoint analysis applied to assess the relative significance of SPC features.
Youth-sport coaches and parents as practitioners viewed the SPCs as they can assist athletes to improve their performance and well-being, which would be of profit to athletes. The SPC characteristic most essential to coaches and parents was interpersonal skills, with a favoured SPC profile also involving a high level of experience and training, and a known reputation.
The parents and youth-sport coaches viewed the SPCs as experts concerning performance enhancement and well-being and preferred SPCs with extensive experience and training, a known reputation, and strong interpersonal skills. Outcomes strengthen the significance of educating those responsible for the ongoing development of athletes to the role and advantages of SPCs, and for SPC training to confirm that interpersonal skills development opportunities are present.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise 2018;35:131-142
The role, benefits and selection of sport psychology consultants: Perceptions of youth-sport coaches and parents
Richard C. Thelwell et al
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