Evidence-based psychological interventions and athletes' mental health: A perspective from Central and Eastern Europe

This perspective provides a concise overview of the authors' viewpoint on evidence-based interventions for supporting athletes' mental health in Central and Eastern Europe. First, the specifics of these interventions are presented, along with the assumptions and mechanisms relating to changes in athletes' habitual inappropriate behaviour and thinking patterns, and the teaching of skills necessary for healthy functioning. Four prominent therapeutic approaches that incorporate cognitive behavioural principles in sport are then distinguished: acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and schema therapy (ST). ACT is primarily used to treat mental health conditions in athletes and involves accepting unwanted thoughts and feelings rather than resisting them. It develops psychological flexibility, enabling athletes to take actions consistent with their values. In turn, DBT helps athletes to learn ways of coping with intense emotions, destructive behaviours, and life problems. DBT involves seeking a balance between accepting thoughts and feelings, and having corrective experiences to introduce positive changes in life. MBCT is used to prevent the recurrence of depression and reduce negative emotional states among athletes. It teaches athletes to control their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, and to manage their concentration during sporting competitions. Finally, ST aims to help athletes understand and change established thought, behavioural and emotional patterns that negatively affect their lives. ST involves identifying these patterns and taking corrective action to change internal states by responding to various life situations in new, healthy ways. The effectiveness of evidence-based psychological interventions in sport: ACT, DBT, MBCT and ST - has been verified in specific sporting environments in Central and Eastern Europe, including individual, combat and team sports. This offers the first perspective on the application of the cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approach within the sports environment of Central and Eastern Europe.