Watson, D. R., Hill, Andrew P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6370-8901, Madigan, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9937-1818 and Wood, A. G. (2026) Cognitive-behavioral approaches for reducing perfectionism cognitions in athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. pp. 1-24.

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Abstract

Research outside sport has shown that cognitive-behavioral approaches can help reduce perfectionism. However, research inside sport is still in its infancy. We compared three cognitive-behavioral approaches (cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and rational emotive behavior therapy) in reducing perfectionism cognitions in an applied sport psychology context. Using a single-subject multiple-baseline design, 12 academy rugby league players (Mage = 19.1 years, SD = 0.99) received eight, one-to-one cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, or rational emotive behavior therapy sessions over 6 weeks. Measures of perfectionism cognitions and related outcomes were collected on a weekly basis, before, during, and after the intervention. The findings supported the use of all three cognitive-behavioral approaches, with acceptance and commitment therapy appearing to be particularly beneficial for reducing perfectionism cognitions. Due to the limitations of single-case research and lack of control over extraneous variables, more rigorous tests and comparisons of these interventions are now needed to confirm our findings.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, [2026], https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2025-0027]. © Human Kinetics, Inc.
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1123/jcsp.2025-0027
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/14046

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