ABSTRACT
It has been reported that the prevalence of irrational beliefs in competitive sports may have an impact on performance outcomes (e.g., Turner, 2016). To date, there is a paucity of accounts that detail the successful delivery and utilization of the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) model in youth rugby. The following case study provides an insight into how an REBT-consistent educational workshop programme was designed, implemented, and assessed across ten weeks of psychology provision with a youth rugby union team (mean age = 15). The underlying philosophy of this service provision was based on previously successful REBT consultancy programmes, which was adapted to meet the needs of athletes within their sporting context. Further to this, the limitations and strengths of the intervention are explored, with consideration paid to my (as support-provider of the programme) awareness and management of my own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to highlight potential difficulties when working from a REBT framework within youth sport. The findings gathered via quantitative and qualitative assessment methodologies suggest support for the use of REBT in youth sport; however, important considerations for effective use are noted for maximizing the frequency of more helpful, rational beliefs in young athletes.
