| The purpose of this study is to highlight the convergence of two psychological fields that are primarily focused on optimizing human potential: sport psychology and positive psychology. To date, efforts to formally integrate these domains have been sparse. In this paper, a positive approach to sport psychology practice is presented based on Fredrickson's (2001) Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. Potential benefits of strengths-based interventions aimed at developing positive skills (resilience, learned optimism, gratitude, hope, mindfulness and flow) to facilitate optimal performance mindsets and foster psychological well-being are discussed, with the intent of informing sport psychologists on how to best help athletes cultivate and utilize positive emotions in sport. Research in the field of applied sport psychology has focused on examining the appropriateness and effectiveness of interventions related to performance enhancement and student-athlete mental health and well-being. Similarly, the field of positive psychology has focused on uncovering the characteristics of optimal human functioning. Positive psychology interventions (PPIs) seek to cultivate positive emotions to produce psychological, emotional, and social benefits. Specifically, gratitude interventions have been related to increased subjective well-being, reduced burnout, and increased satisfaction levels. To date, no known studies have examined the use of a gratitude PPI among athletes. The purpose of the current study was to explore the implementation of a 90-minute gratitude intervention among 51 NCAA Division I college student-athletes. Levels of state gratitude, psychological distress, life and sport satisfaction, athlete burnout, and perceived available support in sport were measured the week before, immediately after, and 4-weeks after the gratitude workshop to assess for differences among scores. Results of RM-ANOVAs indicated significant increases in gratitude, sport satisfaction, and perceived available support in sport, and significant decreases in psychological distress and athlete burnout post-intervention. Multiple regression was used to test whether continued gratitude practice in the 4-weeks post-intervention would predict scores from Time 2 to Time 3, and results were insignificant. Limitations, practical implications, and recommendations for future research are discussed in light of the current study. |
