Abstract
In this 6-year, multi-study paper we summarize a new and effective framework of single-session problem-solving developed in an elite sport context at a world leading national institute of sport science and medicine (English Institute of Sport: EIS). In Study 1, we used ethnography (3.5 years) to observe how single-session problem-solving methods were being considered, explored, introduced and developed within the EIS. In Study 2, we used case-study methods split into two parts. A multiple case-study design (10 cases) was employed in Part one to evaluate how the approach was refined into an effective framework of practice. An individual case-study is then illustrated to detail the framework in-action. Collectively, findings realized a framework of single-session problem-solving for use both inside and outside of elite sport that focused on ways to reframe clients’ problems into more ‘solvable’ descriptions. Guidance for psychologists wishing to integrate these problem-solving techniques into their practice are offered.
Highlights
Sport psychologists working in elite sport operate in fast-paced multi-faceted operational environments that place many demands on their practices
The method is first contextualized, and an overview of the problem-solving approach that was interpreted as being developed during the ethnography (‘problem-cleaning’) follows
Single-Session Problem-Solving Before entering the field, single-session problem-solving had been discussed within the English Institute of Sport (EIS) psychology team for around 12 months but lacked systematic examination or practice
Summary
Sport psychologists working in elite sport operate in fast-paced multi-faceted operational environments that place many demands on their practices (see Fletcher and Wagstaff, 2009; Wagstaff, 2017). There are no theoretically driven, rigorous, evidence-based methods for problem-solving within the elite sport environment that enable fast, effective and impactful change (see Pitt et al, 2015b; Wagstaff, 2019). Such methods are not reported in sport psychology, exploration of single-session approaches in other therapeutic domains does exist and has seen an increase in research and practice activity during the last twenty or so years (see Hymmen et al, 2013). Case-study methods were deemed an applicable empirical method to meet these aims as they enable contemporary phenomena to be investigated within a real-world context and best suit situations where the main research question(s) involve a ‘how’ question (Yin, 2018)
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