The Psychology of the Yips and Lost Move Syndrome in Sport
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The psychology of the yips and lost move syndrome in sport. BENNETT, Jennifer Emily. Available from the Sheffield Hallam University Research Archive (SHURA) at: http://shura.shu.ac.uk/20626/ A Sheffield Hallam University thesis This thesis is protected by copyright which belongs to the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. Please visit http://shura.shu.ac.uk/20626/ and http://shura.shu.ac.uk/information.html for further details about copyright and re-use permissions. LerTunn md 11 Oorvlcss Co:.Learning Contra Cciieglato Crescent Campus Sheffield S1G2BP 102 145 936 4 r e f e r e n c e ProQuest Number: 10701273 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. 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Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 The psychology of the yips and lost move syndrome in sport. by Jennifer Emily Bennett A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Sheffield Hallam University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2015 The psychology of the yips and lost move syndrome in sport. by Jennifer Emily Bennett A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of Sheffield Hallam University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy December 2015 Abstract There has been growing interest in a specific type of performance problem that sees individuals lose the ability to execute a previously automatic skill they once performed at ease (Klampfl, Lobinger & Raab, 2013; McDaniel, Cummings & Shain, 1989). Such severe performance problems have been described in the sport psychology literature with disparity; for example in artistic sports this type of affliction is referred to aslost move syndrome (LMS; Day, Thatcher, Greenlees & Woods, 2006), whereas in golf and cricket individuals are said to suffer from the, yips (Bawden & Maynard, 2001). The underlying mechanisms of these problems have caused much debate, and despite similarities between the two they have been classified independently. The primary aim of this thesis was to adopt a triangulated approach to delineate the psychological nature of the yips and LMS, and determine the extent to which they are similar. Based on these findings a second aim was to develop an intervention to treat the yips and LMS. Study one adopted a qualitative approach utilising semi-structured interviews to explore the psychological components of the yips and LMS. Study two involved quantitative analysis of psychometric data assessing perfectionism, rumination, reinvestment, and subjective stress response to the yips and LMS among affected individuals. Finally, study three utilised a case study approach to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention designed to treat the underlying psychological components of the yips and LMS. This study included reflective narratives gathered throughout the treatment process, and semi-structured interview data collected on completion. Results of study one indicated that several emotional and cognitive components underpin the yips and LMS, including anxiety, fear, panic, frustration, hypervigilence, and loss of cognitive control. Social functioning was similarly disrupted with avoidance, obsessive behaviour, and intrusive thoughts. Study two revealed higher levels of perfectionism, rumination, reinvestment, and stress response equivalent to minor trauma experience, associated with the yips and LMS. Similar characteristics were evident across both yips and LMS groups, with the exception of observable movement disruption concerning the nature of the skills affected (e.g., putting stroke in golf/somersault in diving), however both yips and LMS affected individuals reported involuntary muscle tension, shaking, spasms, and loss of physical control. Importantly, these components are also evident throughout research exploring anxiety-based disorders. A recent theme emerging in association with the yips and anxiety-disorders is the involvement of significant life-events prior to problem development. The current results also indicated that significant-events had occurred before, and around the time of the yips/LMS experience. The final study adopted a case study approach in whicheye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR; Shapiro, 1989) and exposure therapy were integrated in a treatment plan designed to treat a yips-affected golfer and a LMS affected diver. EMDR facilitated the identification and reprocessing of significant life-events associated with the problem, exposure therapy addressed associated psychological symptoms of anxiety, avoidance, and rumination. Evaluation of the intervention showed that both athletes had improved performance of the affected skills, and levels of anxiety and physical movement disruption had substantially reduced. Interview data collected on completion of each intervention confirmed that avoidance behaviour, obsessive habits, hypervigilence, and intrusive thoughts had also been alleviated, and both athletes had improved performance in training and competition. Extensive triangulated findings provided in this thesis suggest that the yips and LMS are psychological disorders, the basis of which is anxiety, and that significant life-events might lead to their development. It is recommended that the generic term performance block be adopted for future classification of these problems as similar forms of an anxiety-based disorder. From a theoretical perspective, the findings emphasise the psychological nature of these problems, and importance of considering potential vulnerability factors in future research. From a practical perspective, this thesis highlights the importance of adopting an individualised approach to the assessment of these issues, and developing interventions to treat the psychological components involved. Acknowledgements The last four years are testament to my belief that the biggest achievements in life are those that come at the end of a long journey, a journey that we never go on alone. The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the help, advice, and love from some very special people. Firstly I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisors, to Professor Ian Maynard for his knowledge, expertise, and attention to detail; your ceaseless tolerance of grammar is much appreciated! I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Pete Olusoga for his continued support and advice. Thirdly, I would like to thank Pete Lindsay who has had considerable impact on my professional development. A special thank you goes to Dr. Kate Hays who has supported me far above and beyond expectation. I have learnt so much from you, your availability, patience, and experience all along the way has been invaluable. Your ability to provide more feedback than words reviewed still amazes me! In addition to those people who have supported me in a professional capacity, I am forever grateful to my loving family and friends without whom this would not have been possible. Firstly, to my incredible parents who have provided unconditional love, support, encouragement, and who gave me the confidence to follow my dream. You are always there when I need you without question, it’s true - mums always know best! To my grandparents who have taught me that nothing is too hard, with courage and determination anything is possible. To the rest of my amazing family for the fun, love, laughter, and endless bed and breakfast. My friends have been an incredible support to me. A special thank you goes to Shereen, your confident, ambitious outlook on life is inspiring. To Mike for being so chilled out, laid back, and patient. And to Harriet and Mabel, for putting life in perspective, always making me laugh, and bringing so much happiness to each and every moment. Table Of Contents CHAPTER I________________________________________________________ 1 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Purpose of this thesis 4 1.2 Structure of this thesis 4 CHAPTER II_______________________________________________________ 6 2.0 Review of literature 7 2.1 Introduction 7 2.2 Performance breakdown in sport: The yips 8 2.2.1 Definition 8 2.2.1.1 Choking 10 2.2.1.2 Dystonia 12 2.2.2 Underlying components of the yips 15 2.2.2.1 Anxiety 15 2.2.2.2 Significant life-events 17 2.2.2.3 Personality characteristics 19 2.2.3 Diagnosis 24 2.2.4 Treatment methods 25 2.3 Performance breakdown in sport: Lost Move Syndrome 26 2.4 Future research directions ' 28 2.4.1 Identification of the underlying psychological components 29 2.4.2 Establishing individual susceptibility 29 2.4.3 Development of effective treatment methods 30 2.5 Summary of the literature review 31 v CHAPTER m 32 3.0 Study one 33 Yips and Lost Move Syndrome: Exploring Psychological Symptoms, Similarities and Implications for Treatment 3.1 Introduction 33 3.2 Aims of study one 36 3.3 Method 37 3.3.1 Participants 37 3.3.2