Relationships and sport and performance

Human relationships play a fundamental role in shaping individuals’ psychological experiences. In sport and performance, researchers are beginning to recognise the significance of relationships with regards to the development of an array of contextual psychological responses and it is becoming clear that the study of relationships is worthy of attention. In this chapter I sought (a) to briefly review the sport and performance literature that has explored athlete and performer relationships with peers, coaches, parents, and sport psychologists, and (b) to offer some conceptual pathways that can serve to further develop this important area as it unfolds in sport and performance psychology. Specifically, I forward sets of ideas from attachment theory, transference, and actor-partner models as particularly useful frameworks within which to examine the sport relationship literature and attempt to illustrate where I see these ideas directing the sport and performance domains.