Psychosocial Training Program for Lifeguards: A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sports Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Lifeguard roles require more than just physical skills.
• Psychosocial competencies are crucial for effective lifeguard performance and public safety.
• Existing lifeguard training often lacks comprehensive psychosocial skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a 10-hour psychosocial skills training program for lifeguards.
• To assess improvements in emotional management, attention, interpersonal skills, and behavior.
• To determine the effectiveness of targeted training on lifeguard psychosocial competencies.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 64 lifeguards.
• An experimental group received 10-hour psychosocial skills training; a control group did not.
• Psychosocial skills were assessed using the d2 Test of Attention, Social Intelligence Test, and MSCEIT Emotional Intelligence Test.
• A repeated measures MANOVA (2x3) analyzed group and time effects.

Main Results:

• The experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in focus of attention.
• Emotional intelligence scores significantly increased in the trained lifeguard group.
• No significant improvements were observed in social intelligence measures for the experimental group compared to the control.

Conclusions:

• A brief psychosocial skills training program can enhance key competencies in lifeguards.
• Training in emotional management and attention positively impacts lifeguard preparedness.
• Integrating psychosocial skill development into lifeguard curricula is recommended for improved performance and safety.