IMPACT OF A MULTIMODAL COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL INTERVENTION ON STRESS MINDSET, IRRATIONAL BELIEFS, AND PERFORMANCE PERCEPTION IN FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

The mental health of female athletes has received increasing attention, but many teams lack adequate psychological support. This study tested a novel multimodal cognitive-behavioural intervention, based on Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT), with insights into stress mindset, threat and challenge appraisals, self-compassion and mental imagery. Fourteen one-time top-flight football players from the Republic of Ireland participated in six sessions, with assessments at baseline, post-intervention and two-week follow-up. Results revealed significant increases in stress mindset and reductions in self-deprecation, ‘getting worse’ behaviour and low frustration tolerance, with effects maintained at follow-up. No significant changes in perceived performance or traits were observed, suggesting that such an intervention could significantly modify stress mindset and irrational traits in female athletes.