Confidence Interventions: Do They Work?

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of different confidence enhancing techniques (Positive Self-Talk, Imagery, and Confidence Profiling) in amateur track and field athletes. Fifteen participants volunteered to take part in the study, five in each intervention group. A baseline measure using TSCI and SSCI has administrated prior to the intervention. Each athlete then completed a four-week intervention, completing the TSCI and SSCI again post-intervention. Results from a mixed model ANOVA yielded a significant difference in pre scores to post in each intervention, p < 0.05. Although no significant difference was found between groups, p > 0.05, meaning all groups were of equal effect. Despite not being statistically different, imagery improved scores the most. These results provide a protocol structure for psychologists and coaches to follow.