Abstract
As highlighted by Kirschenbaum (1987), successful sport performance and skill development requires effective self-regulation (SR). SR is a highly effortful process (Vohs & Baumeister, 2004) that does not necessarily develop through experience or maturation, but can be enhanced through systematic interventions (Schunk & Zimmerman, 2003). However, minimal research has focused on interventions to assess how athletes can learn to better self-regulate. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how a SR intervention led by a trained consultant and researcher could lead an elite curling team to enhance their performance and cohesion. The four female athletes and male coach participated in a three-stage intervention spanning their 24-week competitive season. The intervention involved eight group intervention sessions, multiple individual consulting sessions, observation, and a final questionnaire. Results indicated that team members increased their self-awareness and capacity to self-regulate to feel, think, and behave the way they desired. They developed strategies to meet their goals and preferred standards (e.g., communication, humour, strategic planning) and effectively respond to obstacles (e.g., emotional outbursts, lack of focus). As a result, the athletes and coach perceived that the intervention positively influenced their performance and team cohesion. This presentation will outline the longitudinal process of developing SR with sport teams.
