ABSTRACT

Research indicates sport psychology practitioners vary in their abilities to help athletes. Understanding the characteristics of helpful practitioners can inform applied sport psychology training. We reviewed qualitative research on stakeholders’ perceptions of the characteristics of practitioners. The electronic and manual search yielded 33 studies, with extracted data being subject to an abductive analysis. We also critically appraised the studies according to criteria listed by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results indicated that stakeholders perceived that helpful practitioners were able to (a) build rapport or interpersonal bonds with athletes, (b) develop real relationships based on openness and realistic perceptions, (c) inspire hope and suitable expectations, (d) promote engagement in the change process, and (e) operate well in the contexts where clients are located. The critical appraisal indicated that the studies provide an informed representation of stakeholders’ perceptions, but also where research may improve, such as considering the researcher-participant relationship. The review points to avenues of future research, such as experiments testing if the characteristics stakeholders believe describe helpful practitioners lead to better client outcomes. The current findings can also inform the training, supervision, and continued professional development of trainees and practitioners.

摘要

研究表明，运动心理学从业者帮助运动员的能力各不相同。了解乐于助人的从业者的特征可以为应用运动心理学培训提供信息。我们回顾了有关利益相关者对从业者特征的看法的定性研究。电子和手动搜索产生了 33 项研究，对提取的数据进行了溯因分析。我们还根据 Cochrane 协作网列出的标准对这些研究进行了批判性评估。结果表明，利益相关者认为乐于助人的从业者能够 (a) 与运动员建立融洽关系或人际关系，(b) 在开放和现实的看法的基础上发展真正的关系，(c) 激发希望和适当的期望，(d) 促进参与变化过程，(e) 在客户所在的环境中运作良好。批判性评估表明，这些研究提供了利益相关者看法的知情代表，但也提供了研究可以改进的地方，例如考虑研究人员与参与者的关系。该评论指出了未来研究的途径，例如，如果利益相关者认为描述有帮助的从业者的特征会导致更好的客户结果，则进行实验测试。目前的研究结果还可以为受训者和从业者的培训、监督和持续专业发展提供信息。该评论指出了未来研究的途径，例如，如果利益相关者认为描述有帮助的从业者的特征会导致更好的客户结果，则进行实验测试。目前的研究结果还可以为受训者和从业者的培训、监督和持续专业发展提供信息。该评论指出了未来研究的途径，例如，如果利益相关者认为描述有帮助的从业者的特征会导致更好的客户结果，则进行实验测试。目前的研究结果还可以为受训者和从业者的培训、监督和持续专业发展提供信息。