The Effect of Cognitive Bias Modification on the Resilience and Perfectionism of Perfectionist Athletes

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

2 PhD student in Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

3 MA in Psychology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

Abstract

Background: In today's world, where progress and achievement are considered among individual values, it is necessary to have self-evaluation criteria and indicators, but sometimes these self-evaluations go beyond normal and become harmful. In other words, the desire to be perfect, having high standards and critical evaluations of one's own performance, and high sensitivity to mistakes become prominent features of the person. This maladaptive perfectionism is also common in athletes and acts as an obstacle for their effective performance.
Aim: The present study was carried out in order to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive bias modification on the perfectionism and resilience of perfectionist student athletes.
Method: The research method in this study was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included perfectionist athlete students of the Persian Gulf University in the academic year of 1401-1402, who were identified based on the criteria of the multidimensional perfectionism questionnaire. The research sample included 40 perfectionist student athletes who were selected by random sampling and were placed in two experimental and control groups using the random assignment method. The cognitive bias modification intervention program was conducted using the dot probe task (exploring the dot), individually, and during 8 sessions of 30 to 40 minutes.
Findings: In order to investigate the research hypotheses, univariate covariance analysis was used. The findings showed that the intervention program aimed at modification of cognitive bias, while reducing the amount of perfectionistic cognitive bias (P<0.05) and the dimensions of students' perfectionism (P<0.05), led to an increase in some components of resilience, including hardiness, purposefulness, control and spirituality (P<0.05).
Conclusion: perfectionistic cognitive bias modification provides the opportunity for athletes to have a more realistic assessment of their abilities and performance, and to be more resilient in the face of problems and challenges.

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