Psychological skills training as a strategy to improve mental health and reduce perceived stress in university athletes

Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar, 90222 Rappocini, Kota Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia.

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Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of a one-month Psychological Skills Training (PST) program in improving mental health and reducing perceived stress among university athletes. Twenty-one student-athletes (15 males and 6 females) from six faculties participated in eight structured PST sessions covering goal setting, self-talk, mental imagery, energization, and relaxation techniques. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) was administered before and after the intervention. Results showed a significant reduction in stress levels, with mean scores decreasing from 24.14 (SD = 6.58) to 16.81 (SD = 3.88), t(20) = 5.94, p < 0.001, indicating a large effect size (d = 1.30). The proportion of athletes classified as high stress dropped from 38% to 4.8%, while low-stress levels increased from 5% to 19%. These findings suggest that even a short-term PST program can effectively enhance athletes’ emotional regulation, self-awareness, and psychological stability. Integrating PST into coaching and sport-education curricula is recommended to support athletes’ mental well-being and sustainable performance in higher education sport environments.