Factors involved in the psychological development of baseball players experiencing the Yips: social support, meaning-making processes, and overcoming the Yips

Kojiro Matsuda, Yasuo Susaki, Eriko Aiba, Yujiro Ishihara, Yoshio Sugiyama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Problem Statement: The yips is a motor movement disorder consisting of involuntary movements that influence motor movements previously acquired by athletes. The yips occur in baseball, golf, archery, table tennis, tennis, cricket, and petanque, among others. Previous studies have reported that the yips not only negatively affect athletes but can also be an opportunity for them to undergo a positive psychological transformation. This study aims to elucidate the factors involved in positive changes in psychological aspects associated with the experience of the yips in baseball players. Moreover, it focused on the processes of social support and meaning-making and whether the yips can be overcome. Materials and Methods: A survey was conducted on 227 baseball players with experience of the yips (Mage = 19.81 years, SD = 1.02). A cross-sectional survey was conducted using questionnaires on Social Support, Meaning-making, How the Yips Can Be Overcome, and Psychological Maturity as an Athlete. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: The results demonstrated that the goodness-of-fit of the hypothesized model was generally positive. In addition, social support is directly involved in psychological growth associated with the yips but indirectly involved in psychological growth associated with the yips through meaning-making by accommodation. In addition, we suggest that overcoming the yips may not be an essential part of this growth process. Conclusion: These results support previous studies on positive changes after stress experiences in clinical psychology and sports psychology. In addition, when athletes who suffer from the yips’ symptoms learn about the results of this study, they may change the way they perceive the symptoms and the various negative experiences and may consider disclosing or sharing their concerns and thoughts with those around them.

Original languageEnglish
Article number274
Pages (from-to)2141-2151
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Physical Education and Sport
Volume22
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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