Spiritual Well-Being in Sport and Exercise Psychology

Dev Roychowdhury

doi:10.1177/2158244019837460

Abstract

Research indicates that spirituality plays a cardinal role in enhancing sporting performance, personal growth, and well-being. Numerous researchers have attempted to examine the nexus of religion, spirituality, and psychological constructs to understand their role in sport and exercise performance and contexts. Despite the findings that spiritual well-being plays a crucial role in athletic excellence and as a buffer against a wide range of stressors and negative behaviors, it has received scant attention in the sport and exercise psychology literature. This present commentary examines the role of spirituality in sport psychology literature and proposes that spiritual well-being be incorporated into sport and exercise psychology training and consultancy to improve and enhance service delivery. This article also identifies a number of key areas for future research and practice.

Highlights

Noting the importance of spiritual well-being in sporting performance, Watson and Nesti (2005) proposed four broad areas for future research: (a) reconciling spirituality into athlete-focused services, (b) incorporating spiritual practices into psychological skills training, (c) investigating the association between spirituality and psychological constructs, and (d) examining the efficacy of spirituality in sport psychology consultancy
Based on the literature reviewed in this article, it would be reasonable to state that spiritual well-being plays a significant role in the lives of athletes
Studies examining the relationship between psychological constructs and spiritual dimensions have reported strong links, which warrants further investigation

Summary

Introduction

Spiritual well-being, spiritual counseling, religion, sport and exercise psychology, performance, athletic excellence The purpose of this article is to comment on the role of spirituality in sport psychology research and practice, and to stimulate further discussion. Noting the importance of spiritual well-being in sporting performance, Watson and Nesti (2005) proposed four broad areas for future research: (a) reconciling spirituality into athlete-focused services, (b) incorporating spiritual practices into psychological skills training, (c) investigating the association between spirituality and psychological constructs, and (d) examining the efficacy of spirituality in sport psychology consultancy.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion