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

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Kara E., TÜRKÜM A. S., Turner M. J.

JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY, vol.41, no.2, pp.362-379, 2023 (SSCI)

• Publication Type: Article / Article
• Volume: 41 Issue: 2
• Publication Date: 2023
• Doi Number: 10.1007/s10942-023-00497-z
• Journal Name: JOURNAL OF RATIONAL-EMOTIVE AND COGNITIVE-BEHAVIOR THERAPY
• Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ASSIA, Psycinfo
• Page Numbers: pp.362-379
• Keywords: Competitive anxiety, Irrational beliefs, REBT, Student-athletes
• Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

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 x 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.