Assessing Decentering Capacity in Athletes: A Moderated Mediation Model

Area of Science:

• Sports Psychology
• Performance Psychology

Background:

• Decentering is recognized as a key self-regulation skill in sports.
• It helps limit mental blocks during competitive situations.
• Understanding its role in emotional regulation and coping is crucial for athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate decentering skills in Italian athletes across various sports and competition levels.
• To test a mediation model of decentering involving coping and emotional balance.
• To explore the relationship between decentering, coping strategies, and emotional regulation.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study with 375 national and international Italian athletes.
• Utilized Pearson bivariate correlations, linear hierarchical regression, and simple mediation analysis.
• Employed The Decentering Sport Scale, The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and The Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced.

Main Results:

• Significant associations were found between decentering, emotional regulation, and coping styles.
• Mediation analysis confirmed decentering's central role, influencing problem-solving and cognitive reappraisal.
• Decentering acts as a mediator linking positive attitude and emotional management via cognitive reappraisal.

Conclusions:

• Decentering capacity is a significant mediator in athletes' performance and well-being.
• Enhancing decentering skills can improve problem-solving and emotional regulation.
• Evaluating and developing decentering is vital for peak performance and athlete mental health.