Coaches’ attitudes toward and use of psychological skills training with their athletes: A quantitative study among handball coaches in Iceland

• Main Authors: Þóra Jónsdóttir 1998-, Þorkell Ingi Sigurðsson 1998-
• Other Authors: Háskóli Íslands
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Sálfræði; Iceland
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1946/41582

This study explored the relationship between Icelandic handball coaches’ attitudes toward and use of psychological skills training (PST). Furthermore, coaches’ attitudes toward PST were evaluated in relation to their previous exposure to PST, education and age, and their athletes’ age and gender. In collaboration with the Icelandic Handball Association (HSÍ), thirty-two coaches participated by answering a survey consisting of the Sport Psychology Attitudes-Revised Coaches (SPA-RC) form, the Mental Skills Questionnaire (MSQ), and additional study questions. It was hypothesized that attitudes would not influence coaches’ use of PST. However, coaches’ previous exposure to PST, education, and age would have a positive relationship with their attitudes. Moreover, coaches of female athletes were expected to have more positive attitudes toward PST and greater use of PST. Finally, it was believed that self-confidence and concentration ability would be the most frequently implemented PST methods. Results revealed that coaches’ attitudes did not influence their use of PST. The only significant finding was the relationship between coaches’ previous exposure and their confidence in PST. Overall, coaches seemed to have a positive attitude toward PST. Interestingly, 69% of the coaches reported having received training in delivering PST. However, 49% of them felt that they needed further training and knowledge to improve their use of PST, which indicates a need for improvement in coaches training in delivering PST. The importance of PST was rated highly among the coaches, but did not correspond to their actual use of PST. Self-confidence was the most used PST method, followed by motivation and concentration.