Experiences of Delivering a Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing Intervention Within Semiprofessional Football

Teams that are cohesive display behavioral, cognitive, and affective outcomes. Within applied sport settings, Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing (PDMS) is proposed as an intervention to facilitate growth of team cohesion through cultivating behavioral, cognitive, and affective elements by encouraging athletes to share meaningful personal narratives with their teammates. In this paper, we detail key reflections on components of successful delivery of a PDMS intervention delivered with a semiprofessional football team. Specifically, we outline considerations related to antecedents, preparation, delivery and post-session activities that allow practitioners to successfully navigate implementing a PDMS intervention. We describe the importance of preexisting conditions that include rapport, cultural awareness, relationships with coaching staff, and identification of a suitable game to deliver the intervention before. Next, we describe preparatory processes that included an introduction to the intervention, contracting, one-to-one support, and the facilitator’s own story to share. We then outline the session processes that include timing, participants, and managing the space and the influence this has on disclosures. Finally, map post-session reflections and social validation that illustrates athlete’s perceptions of the intervention. By mapping the processes, reflections, and contextual considerations involved, we offer guidance for the effective and ethical delivery of PDMS.