Integrating the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment framework with Self-Determination Theory principles to promote
Tomer Gutman1, Dalit Lev-Arey1, Amihai Gottlieb2
1Department of Psychology, The Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yaffo, Rabenu Yerucham, 2, Tel Aviv Yaffo, 6816811, Israel.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
|June 2, 2025
Summary
This study integrated mindfulness and acceptance principles with Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to train coaches. The Mindful Coach program enhanced coaches' self-awareness, regulation, and relational skills, promoting athlete well-being and performance.
Area of Science:
- Sport Psychology
- Coaching Science
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Background:
- Need-supportive coaching, based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT), enhances athlete well-being and performance.
- Current interventions often lack emotional support for coaches and focus on education rather than lived experience.
- Coaches face emotional challenges that can hinder their ability to foster athletes' psychological needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) framework for developing need-supportive coaching.
- To explore coaches' experiences with MAC-based interventions aimed at enhancing their coaching style.
- To integrate MAC principles with SDT to create 'The Mindful Coach' program.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with coaches.
- Two phases of intervention: Phase 1 (MAC-based) and Phase 2 (MAC integrated with SDT - 'The Mindful Coach').
- Interventions involved 8 weekly sessions focusing on mindfulness, values, and acceptance.
Main Results:
- Coaches reported contextual factors supporting intervention engagement.
- Intervention led to enhanced self-awareness and self-regulation among coaches.
- Coaches demonstrated improved relational skills and sensitivity to athletes' needs, fostering flourishing.
Conclusions:
- Integrating MAC and SDT principles offers a promising approach to enhance sport coaching.
- The Mindful Coach program shows potential for improving coach self-awareness, regulation, and athlete-centered practices.
- Further research with diverse coaching populations is needed to validate these findings.
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