Meta experiences and coping effectiveness in sport

A. Nieuwenhuys, L Vos, S Pijpstra, F.C. Bakker

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    To examine the relationship between athletes' performance-related experiences and implementation of coping strategies during competition and to explore the role of meta experiences (i.e., knowledge or beliefs about the impact of experiences and strategies upon performance) in determining the effectiveness of coping strategies. Methods: Ten elite level athletes from different individual sports were interviewed about their experiences (thoughts, emotions, actions) in relation to specific performance situations during both a very good and a very bad competition they had recently performed in. Results: Regardless of competition (good or bad) and sport (long duration/short duration) athletes reported an equal number of experiences and implemented coping strategies. In the good competitions the success ratio of implemented coping strategies appeared significantly higher than in bad competitions. In addition to this finding, coping strategies implemented in good competitions were based more often on meta experiences than coping strategies implemented in bad competitions. Conclusion: Meta experiences are instrumental in explaining the impact of experiences upon performance and have an important role in determining the selection, implementation and effectiveness of coping strategies. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)135-143
    JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise
    Volume12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

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