What guidelines could ensure coaches are mindful of sport psychology principles and practices?

Future Research

Resources Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions Professional Communications and Writing Guide Research Guide – Psychology: Sport Psych

New research is developing quickly in the field of sport psychology, and as it does, two exciting and potentially problematic trends are emerging. On one hand, sport psychologists can be better trained to address a variety of psychological (and even neurological) challenges with their clients. On the other hand, coaches and mentors outside the field are becoming more aware of sport psychology principles, and applying them to their work with their athletes. As the field of sport psychology evolves, we have to be increasingly mindful of the possibilities and thelimitations of our specializations—as coaches, sport psychologists, or consultants.

Consider the clusters of research in this unit’s readings:

Research on eating disorders and mental health challenges in athletes.Research on concussions.Research on education and certification, corrective feedback and confidence, and the value of quality training in sport coaches.Research on maintaining the emotional wellness of athletes.

What guidelines should exist to ensure that sport psychologists are proficient in the latest research in related fields, like clinical psychology? What guidelines could ensure coaches are mindful of sport psychology principles and practices? Do you feel the field of sport psychology should draw clearer lines between professionals (such as between sport psychologists and other mental health professionals, or sport psychologists and coaches)? If so, where? What types of future research in these areas would be most valuable for sport psychologists, coaches, and athletes?