Positive Psychology in Sport and Physical Activity

Abbe Brady is Programme Director for Sports Coaching at St Mary’s University, London, UK. Through her applied work as a registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist as well as her research, Abbe has developed an interest in well-being and positive psychology applications within sport and business. She has led symposia and workshops introducing positive psychology to students and practitioners in sport, and she presents on a range of PP-related themes at national and international conferences. Bridget Grenville-Cleave is a lecturer in Applied Positive Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK. She runs well-being, resilience and engagement training programmes in business, health and education sectors and is passionate about community development using applied positive psychology. Bridget has written five psychology books, including Positive Psychology: A Toolkit for Happiness, Purpose and Well-being (2012). She is also an international speaker on positive psychology and a founding member of the International Positive Psychology Association.

Foreword [Brian Hemmings] Introduction Part 1: Why a text on positive psychology in sport and physical activity? 1. Introducing positive psychology and its value for sport and physical activity Abbe Brady and Bridget Grenville-Cleave] 2. Understanding the components of well-being [Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Abbe Brady] 3. Contemporary findings about the value of well-being and positive psychology in sport and physical activity settings [Abbe Brady and Bridget Grenville-Cleave] Part 2: Key topics in positive psychology and their value in sport and physical activity 4. Positive psychology meets education in the context of passion for sports: Implications for sports-study programs [Tanya Chichekian and Robert Vallerand] 5. Character strengths in sport and physical activity [Scott Bradley and Piers Worth] 6. Hope and optimism in sport [Carolina Lundquist and Henrik Gustafsson] 7. Mindfulness in sport and physical exercise [Hanna Kampman and Tim Lomas] 8. Resilience and growth mindset in sport and physical activity [Abbe Brady and Rudy Alleyne] 9. As positive as it gets: Flow and enjoyment in sport and physical activity [Jay Kimiecik, Robin S. Vealey, Emily Wright and Deanna Morrison] 10. Gratitude and athletes’ well-being [Lung Hung Chen] 11. Positive psychology of relationships in sport and physical activity [Bridget Grenville-Cleave, Abbe Brady and Emma Kavanagh] Part 3: Applying positive psychology in and through sport and physical activity 12. My future today [Dan Jolley, Chris McCready, Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Abbe Brady] 13. LifeMatters: Using physical activities and games to enhance the self-concept and well-being of disadvantaged youth [Stephanie J. Hanrahan] 14. Positive psychology and physical education in schools [Graham Mallen and Bridget Grenville-Cleave] 15. Positive Pedagogy for sport coaching: The influence of positive psychology [Richard L. Light] 16. Performance Lifestyle in Olympic and Paralympic sport; where positive psychology informs practice [Arabella Ashfield, Joanna Harrison and Samuel Giles] 17. Embracing positive psychology ideas and interventions within sport and exercise psychology consultancy [Paul McCarthy] 18. Appreciative reflection and Appreciative Inquiry in the development of sport coaches [Liam McCarthy and Abbe Brady] 19. Positive psychology coaching for sport leaders [John M. Yeager and Kathryn H. Britton] Part 4: Concluding thoughts and future directions for positive psychology in sport and physical activity 20. Embracing positive psychology in sport and physical exercise: Implications for practitioners [Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Abbe Brady]