Overcoming failure in sport: A self-forgiveness framework

• Richard Gregory Cowden ^[1] ; Everett L. Worthington Jr. ^[2]
  1. [1] Middle Tennessee State University

     Middle Tennessee State University

     Estados Unidos

     
  2. [2] Virginia Commonwealth University

     Virginia Commonwealth University

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: Journal of Human Sport and Exercise: JHSE, ISSN-e 1988-5202, Vol. 14, Nº. 2, 2019, págs. 254-264
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
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• Resumen

  • Within the winner or loser dichotomy that exemplifies competitive sport, athletic success hinges on the ability to overcome and respond constructively to failure. This article introduces self-forgiveness as an adaptive, purposeful approach to coping with competitive sport performance failure in a way that stimulates personal growth and combats loss of motivation. In contrast to defensive responses that shield self-integrity, genuine self-forgiveness is reached through a process in which athletes (a) accept personal responsibility for their role in the unsuccessful performance outcome and (b) restore self-regard by affirming the self. Although athletes expose themselves to uncomfortable emotional experiences associated with failure, self-forgiveness is proposed as a process that enables athletes to objectively evaluate unsuccessful performances, identify areas warranting improvement, and develop adaptive psychological recovery responses to failure.