The resilience literature is often criticised for lacking clarity in the conceptualisation and measurement of resilience, with the literature yet to consider within-person profiles of resilience and how such profiles might influence reactions to different adverse contexts. To significantly enhance the research area, the current set of studies propose and test a four-stage process model of resilience including proactive (anticipation & minimizing) and reactive (managing & mending) components. We suggest the four processes can function independently within five separate domains (general, physical, social, cognitive, and emotional). Specifically, in Studies 1 (n = 181) and 2 (n = 284) we develop a measure of resilience reflecting our four-stage process model and demonstrated validity of a 13-item measure for each of the five proposed domains via a Bayesian structural equation modelling approach. Focusing on the general domain and based on the four resilience processes (anticipate, minimize, manage, & mend), Study 3 (n = 400) explored resilience profiles in a pilot study, and then confirmed these profiles and their relationship with psychological and behavioral outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic in a main study. Using latent profile and latent transition analysis, results revealed four distinct profiles, predicting a range of psychological outcomes. For example, those with lower resilience (particularly profiles with high anticipation but low levels of the other processes), showed higher anxiety (especially with high anticipation), depression, impulsiveness, and lower coping effectiveness. Those with higher resilience (Profile 3 and 4) across the four processes exhibited lower depression, anxiety, and impulsiveness, as well as higher well-being, better perceived coping effectiveness, and preventative behaviors. Taken together the results from the studies presented, support the process model of resilience and underscore the benefits of considering resilience profiles in relation to understanding how people deal with adverse contexts.

Research suggests that elite female-athletes report elevated levels of mental ill-health, particularly, anxiety, depression and disordered eating, in comparison to male-athletes. However, to date, there has been no systematic review or meta-analysis that has quantified the prevalence of clinically significant symptoms of these disorders in elite female-athletes. We searched three electronic databases from inception to May 2025. Eligible articles had to include: a sample of elite female athletes; quantitative data on clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or disordered eating; and prevalence data. Through the systematic search process, we identified 4321 potentially relevant articles. Following screening against the eligibility criteria, we included 122 articles in the systematic review and meta-analyses. We performed three proportional meta-analyses for studies investigating clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, depression, and disordered eating. 19.4, 18.7 and 18.6% of elite female-athletes reported clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (n = 37 studies), depression (n = 56 studies) and disordered eating (n = 57 studies) respectively. By comparison, research into anxiety, depression and eating disorders in women in the general population suggests global prevalence rates of 7.3%, 7.8% and 5.7% respectively, suggesting substantial prevalence of clinically significant mental ill-health symptoms in elite female-athletes. As such, sporting organisations should be aware of the extent of these challenges, with robust systems in place to support prevention, management, intervention and recovery from mental ill-health in elite female-athlete populations.

The majority of research on athlete mental health is cross-sectional. The aim of this research was to investigate whether elements of athlete mental health differ between discrete periods of a sporting cycle. We measured depression, anxiety, alcohol misuse, problem gambling, and wellbeing of elite male cricketers during the preseason, mid-season, and off-season across three years. We used multiple imputation to account for missing data and conducted repeated-measures analysis of variance for each of the mental health markers. Depression and alcohol misuse levels significantly changed across time, whilst anxiety and wellbeing levels remained stable. Depression levels were highest during the mid-season but appeared to return to a baseline during the off-season and preseason. Alcohol misuse levels were highest during the off-season. Differences in mental health between discrete time points of a sporting cycle demonstrate the temporal component of athlete mental health. From a research perspective, the findings highlight the importance of conducting longitudinal mental health monitoring that accounts for multiple discrete periods within the athlete's sporting cycle. Practically, the resetting of depression levels during the off-season and preseason illustrates the importance of time away from competition and thus serves as a warning for administrators who are considering adding fixtures and ultimately lengthening playing seasons.

The talent development literature emphasises the development of performer characteristics to facilitate achievement and progression. Whilst this may lead to short-term success, investing in the environment fosters sustained development. However, interventions to improve the environment have typically been group-based, neglecting individual differences. We adopted a novel individualised approach to enhancing the talent development environment of a regional rugby union team. Employing a pre- and post-test design, we used the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 (TDEQ-5) to assess player perceptions (n = 7, Mage = 21.9, SD = 2.7) of their environment. Psychosocial player profiles were developed through psychological formulations to inform bespoke interventions. TDEQ-5 change scores assessed intervention effectiveness, and a 2 (Item; targeted, non-targeted) × 2 (Test; pre, post) fully repeated-measures ANOVA compared the impact on targeted versus non-targeted TDEQ-5 aspects. Results showed significant improvement in all environment aspects post-intervention, with a significant interaction between test and item type (F(1, 6) = 49.75, p < .001, η2 = .89). These findings suggest that individualised interventions tailored to individual needs enhanced key elements of the environment. The study highlights the value of an individualised approach to enhancing talent development environments and demonstrates how addressing inter-individual variability can underpin intervention effectiveness.

The precise nature of the leadership-sport performance relationship remains unclear. Furthermore, understanding of how leadership effects might differ across coach and athlete leaders or across team and individual performance is currently limited. To address these issues, we conducted an integrated systematic and meta-analytical review (50 studies, 17,158 athletes) to quantify differences between coach and athlete leaders and examine potential moderator variables. Results revealed a significant yet small positive relationship between leadership and performance (r = .21; Hedges' g = 0.44). Significantly stronger relationships emerged for team captains (r = .34) with team performance than coaches (r = .18) and informal athlete leaders (r = .15). Moreover, significantly larger effect sizes were yielded for authentic (r = .44) and transformational (r = .33) compared with social identity leadership (r = .19). In summary, both coaches and athletes possess the potential to be effective leaders who influence both team and individual performance.

Athlete mental health research has focused mostly on mental health difficulties and associated maladaptive behaviors rather than on well-being. In this study, our aim was to better understand what well-being represents for professional cricketers and to identify perceived barriers and facilitators of well-being to inform future practice. Grounded in a constructivist epistemology and a realism ontology, twenty-seven professional cricketers participated in one of eight focus groups. Underpinned by an interpretive description approach and based on a reflexive thematic analysis of the data, balance and energy were identified as core elements of cricketer well-being, whilst relationships were identified as a core influencer of well-being. Additionally, cricketers' well-being had a temporal component; during the playing season, it was linked to individual performance, whilst during the off-season, well-being stabilized at a level dependent on person-specific factors. These findings offer valuable insights into critical times when cricketers' well-being may require support, and how this can be achieved. The identification of balance and energy as the means by which cricketers understand well-being also provides a foundation for bespoke interventions that utilize familiar language. Furthermore, establishing relationships as an influential factor highlights a tangible component that those working in professional cricket environments can consider to enhance overall well-being.

Narcissism has emerged as a highly relevant personality trait in sporting contexts, as its competitive environment offers individuals numerous opportunities to pursue personal glory. However, little is known about narcissism in the context of the coach-athlete relationship, and the extent to which similarity in narcissism across coaches and athletes can influence relationship quality. This study sought to explore how similarity in narcissism affects a coach's perception of their coach-athlete relationship. Data from semistructured interviews with 30 national and international coaches were analyzed using thematic analysis within a critical realist approach. Coaches were purposefully sampled based on their Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen narcissism scores from Stanford et al. (2024). Four groups were then established: similar in trait narcissism/high relationship quality, similar in trait narcissism/low relationship quality, dissimilar in trait narcissism/high relationship quality and dissimilar in trait narcissism/low relationship quality, prior to any interviews. Using Wiltshire and Ronkainen's (2021) three-level framework of analysis, 70 experiential, 18 inferential, and five dispositional themes were generated. The dispositional themes were perceived relationship perfection, high (perceived) self-awareness, breeding behaviors, relationship power, and relationship elasticity. This study offers an insight into the experiences of similarity in narcissism and the subsequent influence on the quality of the coach-athlete relationship.

Those high in narcissism occupy positions of followership in teams at one point or another. These positions of followership conflict with narcissists' grandiose self-image which may reduce commitment to their team. As such, understanding factors that may attenuate narcissistic followers' lack of commitment is important, yet underexplored. The present study examined the interplay between leader and follower narcissism to test if leader personality influences narcissistic followers' commitment. We posit that leaders who share similar levels of narcissism with followers would increase commitment to the team up to a certain point, thereafter commitment would diminish. We analysed combinations of leader-follower narcissism and levels of commitment in two samples (NSample1 = 275; NSample2 = 282; Combined N = 557). Polynomial regression with response surface analysis results revealed a complex picture of effects. Sample 1 revealed that follower commitment exhibited a linear decrease when both leader and follower narcissism increased. Sample 2 replicated this finding and further demonstrated that the relationship was not only linear but also curvilinear in nature. Specifically, the curvilinear relationship suggested that decreases in follower commitment became more pronounced at moderately high leader and follower narcissism. Additionally, Sample 2 findings indicate that a decrease in leader narcissism together with an increase in follower narcissism was associated with improved follower commitment. However, the presence of a negative curvilinear relationships suggests that this positive relationship diminishes when followers are high in narcissism. This investigation highlights that matching (or mismatching) leaders' and followers' narcissism can substantively impact follower commitment.

We prospectively examined whether psychological factors influence (a) respiratory tract infection (RTI) risk and (b) the mucosal immune response to exercise. In Study 1, n = 406 adults (67% male) recorded RTI symptoms for two weeks before and after a marathon. In Study 2, under controlled laboratory conditions, n = 45 adults (51% male) completed 60 min of running at 65% V̇O2peak (EX) and seated rest (CON) in randomised order. Anxiety, total mood disturbance (TMD) and perceived psychological stress were measured before exercise. Saliva collected pre- and post-exercise was analysed for secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Fifty runners suffered an RTI post-marathon. Runners prospectively reporting high trait anxiety or TMD were more likely to suffer an RTI post-marathon (OR [95% CI] = 1.06 [1.02-1.11] and 1.04 [1.01-1.07], respectively). Higher trait anxiety and TMD were associated with a greater reduction in saliva SIgA (p < 0.05). There was no association between mucosal immunity and RTI risk (OR [95% CI] = 1.00 [0.97-1.01]). In Study 2, despite no significant difference between EX and CON (p > 0.05), psychological factors were associated with the SIgA secretion rate response to exercise in men (trait anxiety, state anxiety, TMD, psychological stress: r = -0.55, -0.65, -0.61 and -0.66, respectively; p < 0.01). In conclusion, anxiety and mood disturbance were prospectively associated with infection risk after a marathon and the mucosal immune response to exercise. Athletes should optimise psychological well-being to support immune health. Researchers should take account of psychological factors when examining the mucosal immune response to exercise.

Pressure training is typically designed to improve elite performers' performance by systematically introducing pressure in a controlled training environment. However, such training is typically generic, whereas elite performers are individuals with individual performance needs. In this study, we investigated the potential benefits of a novel individualized intervention utilizing a comprehensive multidisciplinary profiling procedure, incorporating self-report, informant information, observation, and psychophysiological testing, compared to generic pressure training. English County cricketers either received individualized interventions designed to maximize performance under pressure (n = 17) or participated in generic pressure training (n = 19) during a full cricket season. We collected data for 20-over, 50-over, and championship formats. Multivariate analyses of covariances revealed that the intervention group performed significantly better than the traditional pressure training control group at posttest for the 20-over and 50-over formats. The findings provide the first evidence for the effectiveness of an individualized multidisciplinary profiling procedure for maximizing performance under pressure.

The impact of National Governing Body talent development programmes on injury, illness, sleep, wellbeing and stress of developing elite athletes (DEA) is poorly understood. Therefore, we examined differences between age-matched DEA (n = 42, 25 females; Mage = 21.0; SD = 2.5) and recreationally active athletes (RAA, n = 79, 56 females; Mage = 21.2; SD = 2.8) on these variables over 14 weeks of training using a weekly online monitoring tool. Compared to RAA, DEA completed a greater proportion of planned training and competition without health problems or reducing training volume. Despite training more hours (DEA M = 17.1; SD = 5.1, RAA M = 6.0; SD = 3.2, p < 0.001), DEA reported similar recovery, higher readiness to train, more sleep, better sleep quality, higher wellbeing (DEA M = 68%; SD = 15, RAA M = 56% SD = 16, p < 0.001), lower stress and fewer injuries, resulting in fewer days lost to injuries than RAA (DEA M = 0.4; SD = 1.5, RAA M = 2.5 SD = 6.7, p = 0.01). There was no difference between DEA and RAA in the prevalence of illness or days lost due to illness. In conclusion, despite a greater training and competition load, DEA reported better health and wellbeing than RAA, suggesting the increased demands of National Governing Body talent development programmes may not adversely affect health. These findings also highlight the benefits and importance of talent development systems undertaking a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to athlete monitoring.

We aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of Happy Homework (HH); an 8-week home-focussed intervention, with the purpose of encouraging children's positive dietary behaviours and engagement in positive physical activity (PA) and sleep behaviours. We randomised four Scottish schools (n = 71 participants; 5 classrooms) to either the HH intervention (n = 2) or usual curriculum control group (n = 2). HH consisted of movement and dietary-focused parent and child tasks. Primary outcome measures were intervention feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy. Secondary outcomes were objectively measured PA via ActiGraph GT3X+, sedentary behaviours (SBs) and sleep duration via activPAL4™ accelerometers and dietary behaviours, fruit and vegetable consumption and screen-time via questionnaires. After controlling for pre-test levels, post intervention stepping time and sleep duration were significantly greater for the HH group in comparison to the control group. The HH group reported eating more fruit and vegetables at post-test than the control group. Participants also reported the intervention to be enjoyable and motivating. These findings provide promising evidence that given a greater sample size, better retention and the prioritisation of health and wellbeing homework, HH could enhance children's health and wellbeing.

Narcissism, which features the chronic disposition to seek the opportunity to construct and maintain an inflated self, is a known risk for antisocial behaviour. However, knowledge of factors that mitigate the effects of narcissism on antisocial behaviour is lacking. In two studies we explored the hypothesis that self-compassion would protect against the link between narcissism and antisocial behaviour, such that narcissism would be less related to antisocial behaviour when self-compassion was high. Study 1 was a cross-sectional study with a sample of professional footballers (N = 208). Study 2 utilised a sample of competitive athletes from a variety of sports (N = 324) over an eight-month period. The data from both studies supported the hypothesis: Greater selfcompassion was associated with a null (Study 1) or significantly attenuated (Study 2) relationship between narcissism and antisocial behaviour. We discuss the implications of the findings, including the benefits of incorporating self-compassion in sport settings.

Talent pathways are longitudinal and multidimensional in nature offering developmental environments for athletes that incorporate multiple processes at multiple timepoints. Recent reviews have unilaterally targeted static talent areas (i.e. talent detection and identification). This review aimed to identify quantitative and qualitative studies with longitudinal designs, within an elite athlete population, that considered development and selection literature collectively. Taking a novel pragmatic approach achieved pluralism in a strive to greatly advance our methodological understanding to acquire knowledge of more effective talent development in sport. This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and used a Meta-aggregation methodology. A search of talent development and selection literature identified 41 quantitative and 3 qualitative longitudinal studies. Overall, ten (quantitative) studies investigated interactions between multidimensional selection (i.e. measures of performance) and development characteristics; performance variables changed non-linearly alongside talent development characteristics. No longitudinal mixed-method research studies were found. For practitioners, multiple performance measures need to be considered alongside development characteristics to better assess talent. For researchers, the design of this review models an epistemological and ontological congruent approach that can be used to facilitate the design of future mixed-method and longitudinal research; capturing the dynamic and multifaceted individual differences of talent development.

The Dark Triad is highly relevant in high-performance environments as it offers explanation for feelings of superiority, opportunities to be ruthless in the pursuit of victory, and a heightened belief of influence over others for individual success. High-performance dyads focus on achieving a collective goal to achieve additional individual glory. The aim of this study was to investigate how levels of these traits and (dis)similarity in them was associated with relationship quality of 316 high-performance dyads. Greater dissimilarity in narcissism resulted in higher relationship quality for both dyadic members. Actor effects indicated that higher levels of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism were related to a reduction in coaches' own perceptions of relationship quality, whilst only higher levels of Machiavellianism were associated with a reduction in athletes' own perceived levels of relationship quality. Partner effects showed higher levels of athlete Machiavellianism reduced the relationship quality of coaches.

Interventions aimed at increasing psychological resilience are an important factor in reducing recidivism in young people. However, little is known about how practitioners understand, apply, and assess the efficacy of the interventions they deliver. This knowledge gap is concerning as case workers are at the forefront of intervention delivery, where intervention success has wide implications for the young person and society. To provide some of the first evidence in this area, we conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 Youth Justice case workers based in Wales (UK). We used reflexive thematic analysis to examine four pre-conceived key themes. The first theme involved understanding what resilience is in young people along with the psychological factors that promoted resilience and psychological factors that undermined it. The second theme revolved around intervention strategies used to develop resilience in young people. The third theme focused upon intervention delivery, and the final theme related to intervention outcomes that included behavioral and psychological changes. Our findings offer some of the first evidence into effective psychological based resilience interventions, methods of delivery, psychological and behavioral changes related to desistance from a case workers perspective. Potential future considerations for interventions relating to youth who continue offending are discussed.