Psychological support of athletes: international experience of ensuring well-being and sporting result-effectiveness

ˑ: 

Khankishieva A.
Azerbaijan Sports Academy (Baku, Azerbaijan).
Email: kvv.doc@gmail.com
Mammadzada M.
Azerbaijan Sports Academy (Baku, Azerbaijan).

No. 9, pp. 35–37

Published: 25.09.2026

CC BY-SA 4.0

Abstract

Objective of the study is to analyse the international models of applied sports psychology and to determine the structural characteristics of psychological support systems that contribute to the well-being of athletes and the increase in sporting result-effectiveness. Methods and structure of the study. A narrative integrative review of scientific publications indexed in the Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed databases for the period 2000-2024 was conducted. The analysis was focused on the psychological determinants of sporting result-effectiveness, applied psychological interventions and organisational models of psychological support. To identify recurring structural characteristics of effective sports systems, a qualitative comparative approach was used. Results and conclusions. The analysis of international experience shows that the effectiveness of sports systems is to a significant extent determined by the degree of integration of psychological support into the everyday training process, rather than by the realisation of individual isolated interventions. Systems demonstrating higher sporting results are characterised by continuous monitoring of the well-being of athletes, the structured development of psychological skills, the accessibility of specialised services and the inclusion of psychological competencies in coaching practice.

KEYWORDS

applied sports psychology, well-being of athletes, motivational climate, self-efficacy, coach education, psychological skills training.

References

  1. Australian Sports Commission. Mental health referral network [Электронный ресурс]. 2022. URL: https://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/mhrn
  2. Bandura A. Self-efficacy: the exercise of control. – New York: W. H. Freeman, 1997. 452 p.
  3. Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca
  4. Carron A. V., Colman M. M., Wheeler J., Stevens D. Cohesion and performance in sport: a meta-analysis // Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2002. Vol. 24, № 2. P. 168–188.
  5. Duda J. L., Appleton P. R. Empowering and disempowering coaching climates // Sport and exercise psychology research. – London: Academic Press, 2016. P. 373–388.
  6. Hatzigeorgiadis A., Zourbanos N., Galanis E., Theodorakis Y. Self-talk and sports performance: a meta-analysis // Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2011. Vol. 6, № 4. P. 348–356.
  7. Mah C. D., Mah K. E., Kezirian E. J., Dement W. C. The effects of sleep extension on athletic performance // Sleep. 2011. Vol. 34, № 7. P. 943–950.
  8. Rice S. M., Purcell R., De Silva S. et al. The mental health of elite athletes: a narrative systematic review // Sports Medicine. 2016. Vol. 46, № 9. P. 1333–1353.
  9. Ryan R. M., Deci E. L. Self-determination theory: basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. – New York: Guilford Press, 2017. – 208 p.
  10. UK Sport. Mental health support [Электронный ресурс]. URL: https://www.uksport.gov.uk