Résumé
According to Crocker et al. (2021), university athletes face unique challenges related to demanding schedules and heightened expectations, as they seek to find balance in their academic, athletic, and personal lives. Research in the United States suggests that psychological training, such as mindfulness-based interventions, may enhance well-being, reduce negative affect, and alleviate stress in this population (Kostrna & D’Addario, 2022). However, the generalizability of these findings to Canadian contexts remains limited due to systemic differences in size, competition level, and resource availability (Greiger, 2013). The current study examined the effectiveness of the Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE) intervention, developed by Kaufman et al. (2009), in addressing stress and well-being among Canadian university athletes. Using a within-subjects longitudinal design, a trained facilitator— in this case, the primary researcher—delivered the six-session MSPE intervention to members of the University of New Brunswick men’s and women’s swim teams. Measures of anxiety, depression, stress, mindful awareness, flow, and overall well-being were collected pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a one-month follow-up. While no statistically significant effects emerged, qualitative feedback and a feasibility analysis revealed promising trends. Participants reported increased self-awareness and enhanced present-moment attention, incorporating mindfulness practices into their daily routines. These findings contribute to the growing body of literature on athlete mental health, highlighting the potential feasibility and perceived benefits of mindfulness-based interventions in Canadian university sport settings and laying the groundwork for future research with larger, more diverse samples.
