Piloting A Family-Supported Approach to Concurrently Optimize Mental Health and Sport Performance in Athletes

Abstract

Participation in sports offers exceptional pro-social opportunities. However, sport participation also contributes to uniquely experienced stressors that may interfere with athletes’ achievement in sports and mental health. In this study, we describe the initial process of empirically developing The Optimum Performance Program in Sports (TOPPS). We first review the need to adapt evidence-based behavioral interventions to optimize mental health in athletes. We then review the innovative features of TOPPS and report the results of our initial piloting of TOPPS in a series of case trials. Throughout this developmental process, we underscore our methods of addressing obstacles (e.g., stigma) that appear to have influenced the conspicuous absence of performance programming specific to mental health optimization in athletes. Recommendations are offered in light of the results.