Contemporary Advances in Sport Psychology: A Review

This book brings together leading international researchers to survey some of the most important emerging topics in contemporary sport psychology, including personality, motivation, stress, leadership, and quantitative and qualitative methods. Each chapter offers a comprehensive review of current knowledge and research on a cutting-edge theme, followed by in-depth discussion of conceptual and methodological issues, and then outlines potential avenues for further research. The review format provides the perfect entry point for all researchers, advanced students or practitioners, offering a much greater depth of discussion than the typical journal article.

Stephen D. Mellalieu is an Associate Professor in Applied Sport Psychology in the Research Centre in Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) at Swansea University, UK, where he is Director of Postgraduate Studies and contributes to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He has published over 70 research papers in a wide range of international sport and social psychology journals and texts. He has also co-edited a number of acclaimed texts within the field of sport psychology with Professor Sheldon Hanton including: Literature Reviews in Sport Psychology (2006), Advances in Applied Sport Psychology: A Review (2009) and the recent Professional Practice in Sport Psychology: A Review (2011). His current research interests lie in the area of athlete welfare, including stress and performance, psychological skills and behaviour change, and the organisational environment of elite sport. He is Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology and a member of the Editorial Board of The Sport Psychologist. Stephen co-founded the International Rugby Board Rugby Science Network in 2011 of which he is Network Editor. He is also a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a registered Practitioner Psychologist and Partner with the Health and Care Professions Council, a British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences accredited Sport Scientist, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has consultancy experience in a number of Olympic and professional sports. When he is not working or spending time with his family, Stephen can be found by, or in, an ocean taking part in numerous water-based pursuits, notably surfing

Sheldon Hanton is a Professor of Sport Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, where he is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research. Sheldon is the Editor-in-Chief of The Sport Psychologist and sits on the Advisory Board for the Journal of Sports Sciences. He is also a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity and a former Board member for the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology and Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise. He is also a member of the Economic and Social Research Council's Peer Review College. Professor Hanton lists his interests as competition stress and anxiety, mental toughness, organisational psychology, sports injury, and reflective practice. Sheldon has published over 250 peer-reviewed journal articles, edited texts, book chapters, and refereed conference papers. He has supervised or advised on 13 Ph.D. completions, examined internationally and is currently supervising 11 Doctoral candidates. Sheldon is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. As a former National High Performance Centre Psychologist he advised the England Swim Team and consulted at international training camps and competitions