Skip to main content
Log in

The Effects of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) Group Counselling Program on Competitive Anxiety of Student-Athletes

  • Published:
Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) based group counselling program for athletes, and then to experimentally test the effects of the program on the competitive anxiety and irrational beliefs of non-western student-athletes. The effects of the REBT based program was examined using a 2 × 2 controlled quasi-experimental group design. 22 student-athletes participated in the study (11 in the experimental group and 11 in the control group). The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 was used to assess athlete competitive anxiety. To test the effects of program, descriptive statistics were calculated, and Bayesian repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted. Thematic analysis is used to analyse qualitative data. Data revealed significant decreases from pre- to post- in irrational beliefs and competitive anxiety in the REBT group compared to the control group. The findings indicated a positive effect of the REBT based program on the student-athletes’ competitive anxiety levels.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The author confirms that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

References

  • Akyol A., Altıntaş A., Sezer G., & Aşçı F. H. (2016) The Construct validity and reliability of sport anxiety scale 2 confirmatory factor analysis. In 4th International Sport Sciences Congress, Antalya, Türkiye, 1–04 November, 2016. İstanbul, Turkey. (p.54).

  • Artiran, M. (2017). Rebounding from injury and increasing performance using Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). In Rational emotive behavior therapy in sport and exercise (pp. 134–152). Routledge.

  • Banks, T., & Zionts, P. (2009). Teaching a cognitive behavioral strategy to manage emotions rational emotive behavior therapy in an educational setting. Intervention in School and Clinic, 44(5), 307–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barker, J. B., Mellalieu, S. D., McCarthy, P. J., Jones, M. V., & Moran, A. (2013). A review of single-case research in sport psychology 1997–2012: Research trends and future directions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25(1), 4–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, R., & Turner, M. (2017). The theory and practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). In rational emotive behavior therapy in sport and exercise (pp. 4–19). Routledge.

  • Botterill, C. (2005). Competitive drive: Embracing positive rivalries. The Sport Psych Handbook, 37–48.

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2014). What can “thematic analysis” offer health and wellbeing researchers? International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 9(1), 26152.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cagle, J. A., Overcash, K. B., Rowe, D. P., & Needle, A. R. (2017). Trait anxiety as a risk factor for musculoskeletal injury in athletes: A critically appraised topic. Internatıonal Journal of Athletıc Therapy & Traınıng, 22(3), 26–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadha, N. J., Turner, M. J., & Slater, M. J. (2019a). Investigating irrational beliefs, cognitive appraisals, challenge and threat, and affective states in golfers approaching competitive situations. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2295.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chadha, N., Turner, M. J., & Slater, M. J. (2019b). Investigating irrational beliefs, cognitive appraisals, challenge and threat, and affective states in golfers approaching competitive situations. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02295

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Chotpitayasunondh, V., & Turner, M. J. (2019). The development and validation of the thai-translated irrational performance beliefs inventory (T-iPBI). Journal of Rational Emotive & Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 37(2), 202–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-018-0306-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chrysidis, S., Turner, M. J., & Wood, A. G. (2020a). The effects of REBT on irrational beliefs, self-determined motivation, and self-efficacy in American Football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(19), 2215–2224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cumming, G. (2013). Understanding the new statistics: Effect sizes, confidence intervals, and meta-analysis. Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • David, D. (2014). Rational emotive behavior therapy. Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, H., & Turner, M. J. (2020). The use of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) to increase the self-determined motivation and psychological well-being of triathletes. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 9(4), 489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deen, S. (2017). Applying rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) resilience “credos” with a South-East Asian elite squash player. In Rational emotive behavior therapy in sport and exercise (pp. 171–186). Routledge.

  • Deen, S., Turner, M. J., & Wong, R. S. (2017). The effects of REBT, and the use of credos, on irrational beliefs and resilience qualities in athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 31(3), 249–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DiGiuseppe, R. A., DiGiuseppe, R., Doyle, K. A., Dryden, W., & Backx, W. (2013). A practitioner’s guide to rational-emotive behavior therapy. Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dryden, W. (2012). Flexibility and passionate non-extremism versus absolutism and extremism: Teaching the basics of REBT theory and showing its wider applicability. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 30(1), 38–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dryden, W., & Branch, R. (2008). Fundamentals of rational emotive behaviour therapy: A training handbook. Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ehde, D. M., & Jensen, M. P. (2010). Coping and catastrophic thinking: The experience and treatment of chronic pain. Rational and Irrational Beliefs, 265–288.

  • Elko, P. K., & Ostrow, A. C. (1991). Effects of a rational–emotive education program on heightened anxiety levels of female collegiate gymnasts. The Sport Psychologist, 5(3), 235–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, A., & Dryden, W. (2007). The practice of rational emotive behavior therapy. Springer.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, A. L., Turner, M. J., Pickering, R., & Powditch, R. (2018). The effects of rational and irrational coach team talks on the cognitive appraisal and achievement goal orientation of varsity football athletes. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 13(3), 431–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faul, F., Erdfelder, E., Buchner, A., & Lang, A. G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G* Power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods, 41(4), 1149–1160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, D., & Hanton, S. (2003). Sources of organizational stress in elite sports performers. The Sport Psychologist, 17(2), 175–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, J. L., Ildefonso, K., Jones, M. L., & Arvinen-Barrow, M. (2017). Sport-related anxiety: Current insights. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine, 8, 205.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Goldfried, M. R., & Sobocinski, D. (1975). Effect of irrational beliefs on emotional arousal. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 43(4), 504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez, J. E., Nelson, J. R., Gutkin, T. B., Saunders, A., Galloway, A., & Shwery, C. S. (2004). Rational emotive therapy with children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 12(4), 222–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould, D., Eklund, R. C., & Jackson, S. A. (1992). 1988 US Olympic wrestling excellence: II. Thoughts and affect occurring during competition. The Sport Psychologist, 6(4), 383–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gould, D., Horn, T., & Spreemann, J. (1983). Sources of stress in junior elite wrestlers. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 5(2), 159–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ha, J., & Chang, D. (2017). Effects of REBT program application for the changes in maladaptive thoughts among female junior tennis players. Journal of Digital Convergence, 15(12), 591–604.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardy, L., Jones, G., & Gould, D. (2018). Understanding psychological preparation for sport: Theory and practice of elite performers. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, S., Davies, M. F., & Dryden, W. (2006). An experimental test of a core REBT hypothesis: Evidence that irrational beliefs lead to physiological as well as psychological arousal. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 24(2), 101–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • JASP Team. (2018). JASP (Version 0.9.1)[Computer software].

  • Jeffreys, H. (1998). Theory of Probability, 1967, reprinted in Oxford Classic Texts in the Physical Sciences.

  • Jordana, A., Turner, M. J., Ramis, Y., & Torregrossa, M. (2020). A systematic mapping review on the use of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) with athletes. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2020.1836673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King, A., Barker, J. B., Turner, M. J., & Plateau, C. (2022). The socialisation of athlete irrational beliefs. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2152852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirkby, R. J. (1994). Changes in premenstrual symptoms and irrational thinking following cognitive-behavioral coping skills training. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62(5), 1026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kruschke, J. K., Aguinis, H., & Joo, H. (2012). The time has come: Bayesian methods for data analysis in the organizational sciences. Organizational Research Methods, 15(4), 722–752.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M. D., & Wagenmakers, E.-J. (2013). Bayesian cognitive modeling: A practical course. Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacInnes, D. (2003). Evaluating an assessment scale of irrational beliefs for people with mental health problems. Nurse Researcher, 10(4), 53–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malouff, J. M., Schutte, N. S., & McClelland, T. (1992). Examination of the relationship between irrational beliefs and state anxiety. Personality and Individual Differences, 13(4), 451–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansell, P. C. (2021). Stress mindset in athletes: Investigating the relationships between beliefs, challenge and threat with psychological wellbeing. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 57, 102020.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansell, P., & Turner, M. J. (2022). Testing the REBT-I model in athletes: Investigating the role of self-confidence between irrational beliefs and psychological distress. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matweychuk, W., DiGiuseppe, R., & Gulyayeva, O. (2019). A comparison of REBT with other cognitive behavior therapies. In M. E. Bernard & W. Dryden (Eds.), Advances in REBT. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meijen, C., Turner, M., Jones, M. V., Sheffield, D., & McCarthy, P. (2020). A theory of challenge and threat states in athletes: A revised conceptualization. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00126

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mellalieu, S. D., Hanton, S., & Fletcher, D. (2006). A competitive anxiety review: Recent directions in sport psychology research. Literature Reviews in Sport Psychology, 9, 1–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mellalieu, S., Shearer, D. A., & Shearer, C. (2013). A preliminary survey of interpersonal conflict at major games and championships. The Sport Psychologist, 27(2), 120–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mesagno, C., Tibbert, S. J., Buchanan, E., Harvey, J. T., & Turner, M. J. (2021). Irrational beliefs and choking under pressure: A preliminary investigation. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 33(6), 569–589.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morey, R. D., Rouder, J. N., Jamil, T., & Morey, M. R. D. (2015). Package ‘bayesfactor’. ftp://192.218.129.11/pub/CRAN/web/packages/BayesFactor/BayesFactor.pdf.

  • Nejati, M., Farsi, A., Moteshareie, E., Miller, A., & Turner, M. J. (2022). The effects of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on performance under pressure in adolescent soccer athletes: A randomized control design. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2022.2152852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orlick, T., & Partington, J. (1988). Mental links to excellence. The Sport Psychologist, 2(2), 105–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Page, J., & Thelwell, R. (2013). The value of social validation in single-case methods in sport and exercise psychology. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25(1), 61–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Papathomas, A., & Lavallee, D. (2012). Eating disorders in sport: A call for methodological diversity. Revista De Psicología Del Deporte, 21(2), 387–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, M., & Wilson, G. (2005). Comparing sources of stress in college student athletes and non-athletes. Athletic Insight: THe Online Journal of Sports Psychology, 5(1), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rouder, J. N., Speckman, P. L., Sun, D., Morey, R. D., & Iverson, G. (2009). Bayesian t tests for accepting and rejecting the null hypothesis. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 16, 225–237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Si, G., & Zhang, C. Q. (2017). A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) intervention to improve low frustration tolerance in an elite table tennis player. In Rational emotive behavior therapy in sport and exercise (pp. 153–170). Routledge.

  • Si, G., & Lee, H. C. (2008). Is it so hard to change? The case of a Hong Kong Olympic silver medallist. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 6(3), 319–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sille, R. A., Turner, M. J., & Eubank, M. R. (2020). “Don’t Be Stupid, Stupid!” Cognitive-Behavioral Techniques to Reduce Irrational Beliefs and Enhance Focus in a Youth Tennis Player. Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology, 4(1), 40–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. E., Smoll, F. L., Cumming, S. P., & Grossbard, J. R. (2006). Measurement of multidimensional sport performance anxiety in children and adults: The Sport Anxiety Scale-2. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 28(4), 479–501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spörrle, M., & Försterling, F. (2007). Which thoughts can kill a boxer? Naïve theories about cognitive and emotional antecedents of suicide. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 80(4), 497–512.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stirling, A. E., & Kerr, G. A. (2008). Defining and categorizing emotional abuse in sport. European Journal of Sport Science, 8(4), 173–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Team, R. C. (2013). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/jmisci/issue/18985/288183

  • Thelwell, R. C., Weston, N. J., & Greenlees, I. A. (2007). Batting on a sticky wicket: Identifying sources of stress and associated coping strategies for professional cricket batsmen. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 8(2), 219–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, O., Hanton, S., & Maynard, I. (2007). Anxiety responses and psychological skill use during the time leading up to competition: Theory to practice I. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 19(4), 379–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tümlü, G. Ü., Akdoğan, R., & Türküm, A. S. (2017). The process of group counseling based on reality therapy applied to the parents of disabled children. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education, 9(2), 81–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Türküm, A. S. (2003). Akilci Olmayan Inanç Ölçeginin gelistirilmesi ve kisaltma çalismalari. Türk Psikolojik Danisma Ve Rehberlik Dergisi, 2(19), 41–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J. (2016). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), irrational and rational beliefs, and the mental health of athletes. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(9), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J. (2023). The rational practitioner: The sport and performance psychologist’s guide to practicing rational emotive behaviour therapy. Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., Aspin, G., Didymus, F. F., Mack, R., Olusoga, P., Wood, A. G., & Bennett, R. (2020). One case, four approaches: The application of psychotherapeutic approaches in sport psychology. The Sport Psychologist, 34(1), 71–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M., & Barker, J. B. (2013). Examining the efficacy of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on irrational beliefs and anxiety in elite youth cricketers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 25(1), 131–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., & Barker, J. B. (2014). Using rational emotive behavior therapy with athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 28(1), 75–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., & Davis, H. S. (2019). Exploring the effects of rational emotive behavior therapy on the irrational beliefs and self-determined motivation of triathletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 31(3), 253–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., Kirkham, L., & Wood, A. G. (2018). Teeing up for success: The effects of rational and irrational self-talk on the putting performance of amateur golfers. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38(3), 148–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., Miller, A., Youngs, H., Barber, N., Brick, N. E., Chadha, N. J., Chandler, C., Coyle, M., Didymus, F. F., Evans, A. L., Jones, K., McCann, B., Meijen, C., & Rossato, C. J. L. (2022). “I must do this!”: A latent profile analysis approach to understanding the role of irrational beliefs and motivation regulation in mental and physical health. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(8), 934–949. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2042124

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M. J., Slater, M. J., & Barker, J. B. (2014a). Not the end of the world: The effects of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT) on irrational beliefs in elite soccer academy athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 26(2), 144–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M., Slater, M., & Barker, J. (2014b). The season-long effects of rational emotive behavior therapy on the irrational beliefs of professional academy soccer athletes. International Journal of Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ülker Tümlü, G. A. M. Z. E., & ACAR, V. N. (2012). Grupla psikolojik danişmada terapötik bir güç olarak psikolojik danişman. Kastamonu Üniversitesi Kastamonu Eğitim Dergisi, 20(1), 111–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vertopoulos, E., & Turner, M. J. (2017). Examining the effectiveness of a rational emotive personal-disclosure mutual-sharing (REPDMS) intervention on the irrational beliefs and rational beliefs of Greek adolescent athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 31(3), 264–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vîslă, A., Flückiger, C., Grosse Holtforth, M., & David, D. (2016). Irrational beliefs and psychological distress: A meta-analysis. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 85(1), 8–15. https://doi.org/10.1159/000441231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wadey, R., & Hanton, S. (2008). Basic psychological skills usage and competitive anxiety responses: Perceived underlying mechanisms. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 79(3), 363–373.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wagenmakers, E. J., Marsman, M., Jamil, T., Ly, A., Verhagen, J., Love, J., & Morey, R. D. (2018). Bayesian inference for psychology. Part I: Theoretical advantages and practical ramifications. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 25(1), 35–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whelan, J. P., Mahoney, M. J., & Meyers, A. W. (1991). Performance enhancement in sport: A cognitive behavioral domain. Behavior Therapy, 22(3), 307–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, A. G., Turner, M. J., & Barker, J. B. (2019). Bolstering psychological health using rational emotive behaviour therapy. In Mental Health and Well-Being Interventions in Sport (pp. 45–62). Routledge.

  • Wood, A. G., Barker, J. B., & Turner, M. J. (2017). Developing performance using rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT): A case study with an elite archer. The Sport Psychologist, 31(1), 78–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, A. G., Barker, J. B., Turner, M. J., & Sheffield, D. (2018). Examining the effects of rational emotive behavior therapy on performance outcomes in elite paralympic athletes. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 28(1), 329–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodman, T., & Hardy, L. (2001). A case study of organizational stress in elite sport. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 13(2), 207–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodman, T. I. M., & Hardy, L. E. W. (2003). The relative impact of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence upon sport performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(6), 443–457.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamauchi, R., & Murakoshi, S. (2001). The effect of rational emotive behavior therapy on female soft-tennis players experiencing cognitive anxiety. スポ-ツ心理学研究, 28(1), 67–75.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the study participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

First author conceived the research idea, analysed the data, structured, drafted the and edited the manuscript. Second author gave weekly supervision during the group process. The third author was not involved in the development or execution of the study but was added to the authorship team in order to assist write-up in the English language.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ergün Kara.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declared that there is no conflict of interest with regards to authorship.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 23 KB)

Supplementary file2 (DOCX 25 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kara, E., Türküm, A.S. & Turner, M.J. The Effects of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) Group Counselling Program on Competitive Anxiety of Student-Athletes. J Rat-Emo Cognitive-Behav Ther 41, 362–379 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-023-00497-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-023-00497-z

Keywords

Navigation