The effectiveness of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on psychological, physiological and executive functions as a proxy for sports performance.

BACKGROUND: In the current study, we conducted a comparative analysis involving three distinct groups: one receiving group-based rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), another undergoing a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI), and a third group serving as the control. The aim of the study was to explore the effectiveness of the two interventions on specific psychological (competitive anxiety, perfectionism, irrational beliefs), physiological (salivary cortisol levels), and neurocognitive (executive functions: working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) functions in Hungarian junior ice hockey players. METHODS: The participants consisted of 10 females and 36 males (NREBT=12, NMINDFULNESS=14, NCONTROL=20). We used questionnaires to assess competitive anxiety, perfectionism, and irrational beliefs. The components of executive functions were measured using a computerized testing system, while cortisol levels were examined through salivary samples. Prior to and after the interventions, each participant underwent all measurements, after which we conducted repeated measures ANOVA on our data. RESULTS: We found REBT to be an effective intervention for the regulation of competitive anxiety, perfectionism, and irrational beliefs as well as for improving some components of executive functions (inhibition and cognitive flexibility). Mindfulness was found to improve athletes' processing speed and set-shifting abilities, which are related to cognitive flexibility and metacognitive processes. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we explore implications of these findings regarding how each approach is posited to enhance sports performance, using neurocognitive functions as a proxy. These findings are useful for further research and practical implications.

How the health visitor can help when problems between parents add to postnatal stress.

BACKGROUND: Caring for a baby can provoke or intensify discord between parents, with adverse effects on their own well-being and their parenting. AIM: The aim of this study was to appraise evidence obtained from 450 mothers on the quality of the parents' relationship during the postnatal period and the value of support provided by health visitors in cases of discord. DESIGN: The health visitors were based at nine clinics in an outer London borough, and had been trained on a four-day course (the Brief Encounters course) to screen mothers for relationship problems at the 6-8-week check and to offer support (supportive listening, practical advice, referral) if problems were revealed. Data on relationship quality were obtained by a self-report screening scale completed at the 6-8-week check and again at the 12-week visit for immunizations, when the scale was included in a self-report questionnaire on help received from the health visitor. Intervention records kept by the health visitor showed what form any support had taken. Some 6 weeks later, 25 of the 82 mothers offered support, and their health visitors, were interviewed about their experience of the intervention. RESULTS: One in five mothers were identified as having a relationship problem at the 6-8-week check. Most were offered support. One in five of the 351 mothers who completed a questionnaire at the 12-week visit reported receiving support in improving their relationship. The follow-up interviews showed that most mothers valued this support. Responses to a questionnaire completed by health visitors showed that most were enthusiastic about its benefits. CONCLUSIONS: A four-day training course for health visitors enabled them to screen for relationship problems during the postnatal period and to provide support when required in a way that was valued by mothers. Most health visitors were enthusiastic about the value of the intervention in improving their contribution to family welfare.