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Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes

Cilt: 6 Sayı: 2026 26 Eylül 2026
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Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes

Öz

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based approaches applied to athletes, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and to evaluate the available evidence regarding their effects on athletes’ psychological and performance-related outcomes.

Method: This systematic review and narrative synthesis was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 Statement. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2016 and March 2026. The search strategy included the keywords “cognitive behavioral therapy,” “CBT,” “rational emotive behavior therapy,” “REBT,” “athletes,” and “sport psychology.” Studies were selected according to predefined eligibility criteria, and the study selection process was presented using a PRISMA 2020 flow diagram. Due to differences in sample characteristics, study designs, intervention characteristics, comparator conditions, outcome measures, and methodological quality, the findings were synthesized narratively. A total of 18 studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included in the review.

Results: The included studies provided preliminary evidence that CBT- and REBT-based approaches may produce positive changes in irrational beliefs and anxiety-related outcomes. Improvements in psychological skills, self-confidence, stress-related variables, and perceived performance were also reported in some studies. However, the findings were heterogeneous with regard to study design, sample size, comparator conditions, measurement instruments, and methodological quality. Evidence concerning objective athletic performance was more limited and heterogeneous.

Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that CBT- and REBT-based approaches may provide potential benefits for improving selected psychological outcomes among athletes. However, due to small sample sizes, the frequent use of uncontrolled or single-case designs, limited follow-up periods, and the limited use of objective performance measures, a firm conclusion regarding the overall effectiveness of these approaches cannot be drawn. Further research involving larger samples, randomized controlled designs, appropriate comparator groups, objective performance measures, and long-term follow-up is needed.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Etik Beyan

This study is a review study based on the examination of previously published literature. No data were collected from human participants, animals, or personal records; therefore, ethical approval was not required. The principles of research and publication ethics were followed, and all sources used in the study were appropriately cited.

Kaynakça

  1. Batmaz, M., & Ulusoy, Y. (2024). The effect of a cognitive behavioral therapy-based psychoeducation program on academic procrastination behavior. Dicle University Social Sciences Institute Journal, 36, 231–254. https://doi.org/10.15182/diclesosbed.1418812
  2. Birgin, B. (2019). The effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing performance anxiety in elite Turkish athletes [Master’s thesis, Boğaziçi University].
  3. Cunningham, R., & Turner, M. J. (2016). Using rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) with mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes to reduce irrational beliefs and increase unconditional self-acceptance. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, 34, 289–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10942-016-0240-4
  4. da Silva, S. M., Mansell, P., Fonseca, A., & Barker, J. (2025). Using a multimodal cognitive behavioral 1-2-1 intervention to target irrational beliefs, perceived performance, and stress mindset with elite youth football players. The Sport Psychologist, 39(4), 280–288. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2025-0003
  5. Gupta, S. (2026). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) intervention for an elite cricketer with anxiety: A multiple baseline, single-case study and process report. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520704.2026.2636890
  6. Gustafsson, H., Lundqvist, C., & Tod, D. (2017). Cognitive behavioral intervention in sport psychology: A case illustration of the exposure method with an elite athlete. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 8(3), 152–162. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520704.2016.1235649
  7. Hamid, N., Abdoli, B., & Shahroie, S. (2018). Efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy with positive imagination of success during hypnotism on athletic performance. International Journal of Sport Studies for Health, 1(2), Article e84452. https://doi.org/10.5812/intjssh.84452
  8. Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427–440. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-012-9476-1

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Egzersiz ve Spor Psikolojisi

Bölüm

Derleme

Yayımlanma Tarihi

26 Eylül 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

19 Temmuz 2026

Kabul Tarihi

22 Eylül 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Cilt: 6 Sayı: 2026

Kaynak Göster

APA
Selçuk, L. (2026). Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 6(2026), 197-214. https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ
AMA
1.Selçuk L. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;6(2026):197-214. https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ
Chicago
Selçuk, Lamia. 2026. “Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes”. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 6 (2026): 197-214. https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ.
EndNote
Selçuk L (01 Eylül 2026) Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 6 2026 197–214.
IEEE
[1]L. Selçuk, “Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes”, Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, c. 6, sy 2026, ss. 197–214, Eyl. 2026, [çevrimiçi]. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ
ISNAD
Selçuk, Lamia. “Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes”. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi 6/2026 (01 Eylül 2026): 197-214. https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ.
JAMA
1.Selçuk L. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;6:197–214.
MLA
Selçuk, Lamia. “Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes”. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, c. 6, sy 2026, Eylül 2026, ss. 197-14, https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ.
Vancouver
1.Lamia Selçuk. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions in Sports: A Review of CBT and REBT Applications in Athletes. Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi [Internet]. 01 Eylül 2026;6(2026):197-214. Erişim adresi: https://izlik.org/JA59AY77GZ

Spor Bilimleri alanındaki çalışmaları içeren hakemli dergi olarak yayımlanan Kafkas Üniversitesi Spor Bilimleri Dergisi'nin 2026 yılında yayınlanacak sayısı için dergimizin kapsamı dahilinde olan konularla ilgili özgün araştırma ve derleme türünde makaleler kabul edilecektir. Bu anlamda ilgili sayı için makaleler 2026 yılının Kasım ayı sonuna kadar gönderilebilir.

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Editör

Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Tarkan HAVADAR