Examining Psycho-Behaviourally Based Features of Effective Talent Development by Andy Hill ...

292 Pages·2017·3.54 MB·English

Examining Psycho-Behaviourally Based Features of Effective
Talent Development

by

Andy Hill

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Central Lancashire

December 2016
Student Declaration

Student Declaration

Concurrent registration for two or more academic awards
I declare that while registered as a candidate for the research degree, I have not been a
registered candidate or enrolled student for another award of the University or other

academic or professional institution.

Material submitted for another award
I declare that no material contained in the thesis has been used in any other submission
for an academic award and is solely my own work.

Signature of Candidate

Type of Award PhD

School School of Sport and Wellbeing
i
Abstract
Abstract
Given sport’s increasing political, economic, and social importance, there is an obvious
need to develop sporting talent in an efficacious and efficient manner. However,
despite their widespread adoption, many talent development systems suffer from poor
predicative validity, with a lack of supporting empirical evidence. This thesis sought to
identify the key issues associated with effective talent development through both the
examination of extant literature and empirical study. First, a series of semi-structured,
qualitative interviews were conducted with sporting academy directors, coaches, and
clinical psychologists to identify the issues impacting upon development. Wide support
was found for the appropriate deployment of Psychological Characteristics of
Developing Excellence (PCDEs) throughout, along with several other adaptive
constructs. A range of factors deemed maladaptive to talent development were also
identified, including issues around mental health. Furthermore, some characteristics
were seen to be either adaptive or maladaptive, dependent upon context (termed ‘dual-
effect’). Based on these results, and furthering the existing work of MacNamara and
Collins (2011), a new psychometric assessment tool was developed to help facilitate
effective talent development.
Following a process of item generation, cognitive interviews, pilot studies, and
exploratory factor analysis, the 7 factor, 88 item Psychological Characteristics of
Developing Excellence Questionnaire version 2 (PCDEQ2) was developed. The
PCDEQ2 accounted for 40% of response variance, and was subsequently able to
accurately predict 72.9% of group membership (i.e., differentiate between those likely
to progress to elite sport and those less likely). Accordingly, the PCDEQ2 is able to
offer coaches and practitioners an empirically derived, valid and practical way to
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Abstract
formatively assess the key psychological constructs that underpin effective talent
development, thus informing effective intervention.

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Table of Contents
Table of Contents

Student Declaration ......................................................................................................... i
Abstract ............................................................................................................................ ii
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... iv
List of Figures ................................................................................................................. ix
List of Tables ................................................................................................................... x
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... xi
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Establishing the Context ......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Aims of the Thesis .................................................................................................. 2
1.3 Programme of Work ................................................................................................ 3
2. TALENT DEVELOPMENT: WHAT IS IT, HOW DOES IT WORK, AND
HOW CAN WE MAKE IT BETTER? ......................................................................... 5
2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 5
2.2 Defining “Talent” .................................................................................................... 6
2.3 Developing Talent ................................................................................................... 8
2.3.1 Modelling Talent Development ................................................................................... 8
2.3.2 Key Features of Effective Talent Development ......................................................... 16
2.4 The Talent Development Environment ................................................................. 19
2.5 Getting Better at Getting Better: The Importance of Psychology ......................... 20
2.5.1 Persistence-Type Behaviours ..................................................................................... 21
2.5.2 Deployment of Cognitive Skills and Strategies ......................................................... 26
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Table of Contents
2.6 The Next Step ........................................................................................................ 30
3. EXAMINING KEY DETERMINANTS OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT
WITHIN AN APPLIED SETTING ............................................................................. 32
3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 32
3.2 Method .................................................................................................................. 35
3.2.1 Participants ................................................................................................................. 36
3.2.2 Procedure ................................................................................................................... 37
3.2.3 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 38
3.3 Results ................................................................................................................... 39
3.3.1 Positive Psychological Characteristics ....................................................................... 39
3.3.2 Dual-Effect Psychological Characteristics ................................................................. 43
3.3.3 Negative Psychological Characteristics ..................................................................... 44
3.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 53
3.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 58
4. INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND CLINICAL
ISSUES WITHIN TALENT DEVELOPMENT ........................................................ 60
4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 60
4.2 Method .................................................................................................................. 64
4.2.1 Participants ................................................................................................................. 65
4.2.2 Procedure ................................................................................................................... 65
4.2.3 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................. 66
4.3 Results ................................................................................................................... 67
4.3.1. Behavioural Indicators .............................................................................................. 67
4.3.2 Risk Factors ............................................................................................................... 71
4.3.3 Protective Factors ....................................................................................................... 75
4.3.4 Identification and Diagnosis Issues ............................................................................ 77
4.4 Discussion ............................................................................................................. 82
4.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 89
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Table of Contents
5. FEAR OF FAILURE, AND OTHER DUAL EFFECT CHARACTERISTICS
91
5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 91
5.2 Fear, Failure and Fear of Failure ........................................................................... 92
5.3 Fear of Failure in Talent Development ................................................................. 95
5.4 Addressing Fear of Failure in Talent Development Environments .................... 100
5.5 Fear of Failure, Perfectionism, and other Dual-Effect Characteristics ............... 103
5.6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 106
6. THE STORY SO FAR… AND WHAT NEXT? ............................................... 108
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 108
6.2 Critical Features of Talent Development ............................................................ 108
6.2.1 Psycho-behavioural Characteristics ......................................................................... 108
6.3 Assessing the Individual’s Needs........................................................................ 112
6.4 The Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire
version 2 .................................................................................................................... 114
7. INITIAL DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE
PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DEVELOPING EXCELLENCE
QUESTIONNAIRE VERSION 2 (PCDEQ2) ........................................................... 117
7.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 117
7.2 Item Generation, Justification and Refinement ................................................... 118
7.2.1 Item Generation........................................................................................................ 118
7.2.2 Expert Panels ........................................................................................................... 119
7.2.3 Cognitive Interviews ................................................................................................ 121
7.2.4 Pilot Test .................................................................................................................. 125
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Table of Contents
7.3 Establishing the Factor Structure ........................................................................ 127
7.3.1 Exploratory Factor Analysis .................................................................................... 127
7.3.2 Procedure ................................................................................................................. 132
7.3.3 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 134
7.3.4 Interpretation and Naming the Factors ..................................................................... 146
7.4 Summary ............................................................................................................. 160
7.5 Discussion ........................................................................................................... 161
7.6 Moving Forward ................................................................................................. 164
8. EXAMINING THE PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF THE PCDEQ2 .............. 166
8.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 166
8.2 Method ................................................................................................................ 167
8.2.1 Participants ............................................................................................................... 167
8.2.2 Procedure ................................................................................................................. 167
8.2.3 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 168
8.3 Results ................................................................................................................. 169
8.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................... 171
8.5 Considerations around Deployment of the PCDEQ2 ......................................... 174
9. CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSION, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS ................. 177
9.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 177
9.2 Summary of Findings and Implications .............................................................. 178
9.3 General Discussion.............................................................................................. 186
9.3.1 Scope of the PCDEQ2.............................................................................................. 187
9.3.2 The PCDEQ2 and the Development of PCDEs ....................................................... 188
9.3.3 The PCDEQ2 and Applied Practice ......................................................................... 190
9.4 Future Recommendations ................................................................................... 193
9.5 And Finally… ................................................................................................. 196
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Table of Contents
List of References ........................................................................................................ 197
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................. 239
A. Chapter 3: Ethical Approval ................................................................................. 239
B. Chapter 3: Interview Guide .................................................................................. 240
C. Chapter 4: Ethical Approval ................................................................................. 243
D. Chapter 4: Interview Guide .................................................................................. 244
E. Chapter 7: Ethical Approval ................................................................................. 247
F. Chapter 7: 173 Item PCDEQ2 .............................................................................. 248
G. Chapter 7: Cognitive Interview Guide ................................................................. 256
H. Chapter 7: 135 Item PCDEQ2 .............................................................................. 258
I. Chapter 8: 88 Item PCDEQ2 ................................................................................. 264
J. Chapter 8: Subjective Player Rating Form ............................................................ 268
K. Paper-Based Version of Final PCDEQ2 .............................................................. 269
L. Paper-Based PCDEQ2 Score Sheet ...................................................................... 278
M. Publications and Presentations Emanating from this Thesis ............................... 280

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List of Figures
List of Figures
Figure 7-1. Scree Plot .................................................................................................... 136

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