The effectiveness of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing and imagery on self-efficacy, confidence and anxieties of elite academy footballers (soccer) and 1st team goal-keepers

This thesis explores EMDR therapy for reducing anxiety, small-t traumas in sports, and confidence.

Article Abstract

“A limited number of studies have explored the effectiveness of Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) on reducing anxieties, small-t-traumas in sports, and confidence. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of EMDR on General Self-Efficacy (GSE), Goal-Keeper specific Self-Efficacy (GKSE), and measures of the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory (CSAI-2R) in elite academy footballers (soccer) and 1st team goal-keepers. Qualitative approaches explore the experiences of EMDR and Imagery sessions applied with positive memories and the resolution of small-t-traumas. Further, different modalities of face-to-face delivery and online sessions are compared. An RTC, multi-subject, mixed-methods, multiple baseline research design across participants was employed. Sessions were delivered by the principal investigator who held a dual role as the club’s sport psychologist, therefore providing testimony on navigating challenges in the delivery of EMDR in a professional club setting. Three experimental studies provide evidence of feasibility and acceptance of EMDR in enhancing positive memories (GSE, p<0.05, η2p= 0.66; GKSE, p< 0.05; η2p=0.59), effectiveness of EMDR and Imagery Rescripting (ImRs) in working with negative memories (GKSE, p<0.05; η2p=0.65), and the applied value of the GKSE. Qualitative and quantitative analyses support EMDR to be as effective as Imagery. Reflexive Thematic Analyses outline professional footballers’ experiences of receiving EMDR, transfer-to-practice effects to football, and showcase mental images related to self-efficacy, thereby providing support for Bandura’s self-efficacy theory (1977). Alongside, the GKSE questionnaire was developed, validated and tested for reliability. The GKSE assesses goal-keeping specific self-efficacy beliefs in relation to zone defense, goal defense and offense play. Results and findings are the first to establish EMDR as an effective alternative to Imagery. Further, this thesis successfully filled the lack of position-specific self-efficacy questionnaires in football. Goal-keepers face distinct psychological and technical challenges; a position-specified assessment allows to provide tailored support and training.”

Article Access

Open Access

Ecken, T. S. (2024). The effectiveness of eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing and imagery on self-efficacy, confidence and anxieties of elite academy footballers (soccer) and 1st team goal-keepers. [Doctoral thesis, Anglia Ruskin University].  Open access: https://doi.org/10.25411/aru.26969647.v1