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Perfectionism and training distress in junior athletes: A longitudinal investigation

Madigan, Daniel J., Stoeber, Joachim, Passfield, Louis (2016) Perfectionism and training distress in junior athletes: A longitudinal investigation. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (5). pp. 470-475. ISSN 0264-0414. (doi:10.1080/02640414.2016.1172726) (KAR id:54625)

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Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1172726

Abstract

Perfectionistic athletes may train harder and for longer than non-perfectionistic athletes, leaving them susceptible to elevated levels of training distress. So far, however, no study has investigated the relationships between perfectionism and training distress, a key indicator of overtraining syndrome. Furthermore, no study has determined psychological predictors of overtraining syndrome. Using a two-wave design, the present study examined perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and training distress in 141 junior athletes (mean age 17.3 years, range 16-19 years) over 3 months of active training. Multiple regression analyses were employed to test cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perfectionism and training distress. In all analyses, perfectionism emerged as a significant predictor, but strivings and concerns showed differential relationships. When the cross-sectional relationships were regarded, perfectionistic concerns positively predicted training distress (p < .01), whereas perfectionistic strivings negatively predicted training distress (p < .001). When the longitudinal relationships were regarded, only perfectionistic concerns predicted increases in training distress (p < .05), whereas perfectionistic strivings did not (p > .05). The findings suggest that sports scientists who wish to identify athletes at risk of overtraining syndrome may monitor athletes’ perfectionistic concerns as a possible risk factor.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1172726
Uncontrolled keywords: perfectionistic strivings; perfectionistic concerns; training distress; overtraining; junior athletes; longitudinal study;
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation. Leisure > Sports sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Joachim Stoeber
Date Deposited: 27 Mar 2016 05:53 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2021 13:33 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/54625 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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