Knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of selected Trinidad and Tobago coaches and athletes regarding sport psychology consultation

This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of selected Trinidad and Tobago coaches and athletes regarding sport psychology consultation. Additionally, gender differences were examined in regard to the variables under study. Three questionnaires were distributed to 357 coaches and athletes 18 years of age or older. The sample was drawn from the following six major sports identified by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC): cycling, field hockey, football (soccer), netball, rifle, and rugby. Participants were asked to complete three questionnaires: the Ottley Demographic Questionnaire (ODQ), the Sullivan and Hodge (1991) Coaches and Athletes Survey (SHCAS), and the Sport Psychology Attitudes - Revised Form (SPA-R).; It was hypothesized that there were no statistically significant differences on scores of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding sport psychology consultation in Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, demographic differences were investigated between the study sample and the population statistics to Trinidad and Tobago.; The results of the study showed an overall need for knowledge based and culturally sensitive developmental programs in sport psychology. Coaches reported to have attended more sport psychology clinics than athletes, 48 and 28.6% respectively. Despite coaches' and athletes' limited knowledge of sport psychology coaches' knowledge scores were generally higher than athletes' scores. Both males and females held similar belief that knowledge development and quality sport psychology services were important to the improvement of their sport performance; Coaches and athletes (70%) found that their psychological needs were not being met and were interested in working with a sport psychologist. There was a perception among sport groups that sport psychology services would contribute to the improvement of their sport performance.; Despite some of the cultural issues, which may affect coaches' and athletes' comfort in dealing with a sport psychologist, there was an overwhelming belief that sport psychology services would contribute to the improvement of their sport performance.; Differences were found between study sample and the population of Trinidad and Tobago in terms of race, education level, and gender. Racial differences among sport participants may be intertwined with the historical legacy of colonialism.