Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches for Reducing Perfectionism Cognitions in Athletes

Watson, Dean R, Hill, Andrew P, Madigan, Daniel J and Wood, Andrew G (2026) Cognitive-Behavioral Approaches for Reducing Perfectionism Cognitions in Athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. pp. 1-25. ISSN 1932-927X (In Press)

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Abstract

Research outside sport has shown that cognitive-behavioral approaches can help reduce perfectionism. However, research inside sport is still in its infancy. We compared three cognitive-behavioral approaches (cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy) in reducing perfectionism cognitions in an applied sport psychology context. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design, 12 academy rugby league players (Mage = 19.1 years, SD = 0.99) received eight, one-to-one cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or rational emotive behavior therapy sessions over 6 weeks. Measures of perfectionism cognitions and related outcomes were collected on a weekly basis, before, during, and after the intervention. The findings supported the use of all three cognitive-behavioral approaches, with acceptance and commitment therapy appearing to be particularly beneficial for reducing perfectionism cognitions. Due to the limitations of single-case research and lack of control over extraneous variables, more rigorous tests and comparisons of these interventions are now needed to confirm our findings.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	performance, interventions, cognitions, applied psychology
Divisions:	Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User:	James Bisset
Date Deposited:	22 May 2026 13:19
Last Modified:	22 May 2026 13:19
URI:	https://ulaw.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/68

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