Using a Multimodal Cognitive Behavioral 1-2-1 Intervention to Target Irrational Beliefs, Perceived Performance, and Stress Mindset With Elite Youth Football Players

Academy football players operating in the highest echelons of youth football must navigate multiple sources of stress. The present study investigated whether a multimodal cognitive-behavioral intervention could enhance academy football players’ stress mindset and perceived performance and reduce irrational beliefs. The sample was four elite young male athletes ( M age = 16.25 years, SD = 0.50). The intervention was delivered on a 1-2-1 basis and included a range of strategies in the rational emotive behavior therapy framework (i.e., education about stress, the ABC thinking framework, self-compassion, and imagery). It was hypothesized that stress mindset and perceived performance would increase and irrational beliefs would decrease. Four elite male football players completed measures in stress mindset, perceived performance, and irrational beliefs as part of an AB single-case research design. Results revealed substantial increases in stress mindset in all four athletes, reductions in irrational beliefs in three athletes, but minimal changes in perceived performance.