Consistency of coping strategies and defense mechanisms during training sessions and sport competitions

A longitudinal study of 26 athletes was conducted to examine the consistency of coping strategies (CS) and defense mechanisms (DM) during competitions and the training sessions preceding races throughout a season. Furthermore, the effects of both disposition and situation on CS and DM were investigated. The findings indicated a relative lack of coping consistency for the majority of CS. Two situational CS (problem-solving and seeking social support) changed significantly over time and between situations (training/competition). In contrast, all DM showed strong stability across situations and periods of time. Two DM were related to personality factors. Mature DM correlated with extraversion and openness. Immature DM correlated with Neurosis. As hypothesised, CS were not consistent either across situations or time. In contrast, all the DM showed evidence of relative stability in all situations and time periods. Furthermore, personality was related to DM but not to CS. These results suggest that perhaps CS are more a function of the situation, whereas DM are more dependent on the individual's personality. Despite some limitations, the results suggest that canoeists show evidence of different process adjustment patterns depending on the situation (competition and training session) and the period Of season. The consequences for practitioners and trainers in terms Of methodology for evaluation and preparation are examined in the discussion.