The Athlete and Their Mechanisms of Defense

The Athlete and Their Mechanisms of Defense A Psychoanalytic Approach to Sport Psychology

Hardback (01 Aug 2024)

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Publisher's Synopsis

This important book explores the way athletes use defense mechanisms and coping skills to manage both the internal and external stress faced in competitive sport. Covering a range of case studies across various sports, the text showcases a taxonomy of immature, neurotic and mature defences available to the athlete and describes the benefits and drawbacks of each.

A clear introductory section defines what defense mechanisms are and how they impact performance such as shame, anxiety, despair, memories of previous losses or fantasies about winning. Applying a psychoanalytic approach in line with the ideas of Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Fenichel, Leo Rangel, George Valliant and many others, the author uses each case study to connect the defense mechanism under investigation with the world of the athlete. Focused on delivering research-based evidence, the book helps readers deepen their understanding of the different types of defense mechanisms used by athletes across the globe, as the author explains what causes them, and recommends techniques for developing effective coping skills. Each chapter of the book also includes a reflective section that challenges the reader to think about how they can help athletes to grow and develop healthy defense mechanisms in any stage of their career.

This invaluable text is geared towards the practitioners, researchers, psychoanalysts and students in sport psychology who wish to look more deeply into why athletes struggle. It is also an ideal resource for athletes interested in understanding ways to cope with the unrelenting, exciting and at times overwhelming pressure of competitive sports.

About the Publisher

Routledge

Routledge

Routledge is the world's leading academic publisher in the Humanities and Social Sciences. We publish thousands of books and journals each year, serving scholars, instructors, and professional communities worldwide. Our current publishing programme encompasses groundbreaking textbooks and premier, peer-reviewed research in the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Built Environment. We have partnered with many of the most influential societies and academic bodies to publish their journals and book series. Readers can access tens of thousands of print and e-books from our extensive catalogue of titles. Routledge is a member of Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business.

Book information

ISBN: 9781032565965
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Imprint: Routledge
Pub date:
DEWEY: 796.019
DEWEY edition: 23
Language: English
Number of pages: 200
Weight: 550g
Height: 229mm
Width: 152mm
Spine width: 13mm