Coping With Failure: The Role of Perspective-Taking and Self-Compassion for Undergraduate Students and Athletes

• In Event: Examining Aspects of College Student Athletes

Abstract

This study explored the typical versus ideal self-talk of undergraduate non-athletes (n = 92) and athletes (n = 124) after committing a common mistake in school or sport. Participants were first asked to write about their typical self-talk after making the mistake and then how an “ideal” student or athlete would respond. Results showed that the majority of participants’ typical self-talk was negative (65%), while nearly every single participant’s ideal self-talk was positive (96%). Those with higher levels of self-compassion had less negative self-talk, and athletes had more positive self-talk than non-athletes. Findings from this study suggest that simple perspective-taking prompts may be an effective way to elicit positive self-talk for undergraduate athletes and non-athletes when coping with challenging situations.

Authors

• Ashley Kuchar, The University of Texas at Austin

• Katherine Van De Walle, The University of Texas at Austin