Metacognitions and mindfulness in athletes: an investigation on the determinants of flow
Abstract
This study investigated triathletes’ metacognitions and mindfulness traits ( N = 232) measured prior to competition, and flow ( N = 63), post competition. The primary aim was to investigate whether metacognitions (measured by the Metacognitions Questionnaire) would associate with mindfulness facets (measured by the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire – Short Form), and metacognitions would also predict flow scores (measured by the Short Flow State Scale), over and above mindfulness facets. Regression analyses showed that metacognitions individually predicted mindfulness facets. A hierarchical regression showed that positive beliefs about worry negatively predicted flow, while a lack of cognitive confidence, beliefs about the need for thought control and acting with awareness positively predicted flow. These findings indicate that a) metacognitive beliefs are influential to cognitive predispositions, b) typically dysfunctional metacognitions may play a different role in competitive environments, and c) metacognitions may play a more important role in the occurrence of flow, than mindfulness.
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Love et al found that NRE had statistically significant inverse relationships with MCQ-30 subscales of positive (b=−3.27, P=.03) and negative (b=−7.67, P<.001) beliefs about worry, and positive relationships with cognitive self-consciousness (b=.23, P<.001).
“For NRE specifically, these included statistically significant inverse relationships with MCQ-30 subscales of positive (b=−3.27, P=.03) and negative (b=−7.67, P<.001) beliefs about worry, and positive relationships with cognitive self-consciousness (b=.23, P<.001).”
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- Authors
- Love, S., Kannis-Dymand, L., & Lovell, G. P.
- Affiliations
- University of the Sunshine Coast (AU)
- 1University of the Sunshine Coast
- Corresponding author
- Love, Steven
- Venue
- Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology
- Publisher
- Human Kinetics
- Published
- 2019-12-01
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 686-703
- ISSN
- 1932-9261 (ISSN-L)
- 1932-927X
- OpenAlex
- W2801506267
- Cited by
- 8
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 0.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Flow Experience in Various Fields
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- metacognition, mindfulness, flow, triathletes, Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, worry beliefs, cognitive confidence, thought control, acting with awareness, competitive performance
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