M Fahli Zatra Hadi, Ifdil, Daharnis, Istiqomah, Jeki Haryanto, Fiky Zarya, Nilma Zola, Rima Pratiwi Fadli, Soeci Izzati Adlya, Refnaldi, Nur Adila Wafiqoh Zulvi, Yona Mita Soma
Background. The integration of psychotherapy into sports shows that mental health and psychological resilience are as important as physical strength. Training athletes to regulate their mental and physical reactions to stress enhances psychological resilience and assists in addressing various competition challenges. Objectives. This research aimed to adopt a systematic literature review through the Scopus database, which was selected for its high credibility and trustworthiness. Methods. All the analyzed data were collected from 578 articles, of which the number of English-language articles was reduced to 471. Furthermore, the Vosviewer was used to download the data as a CSV file for keyword network analysis. The data were re-selected based on the established theme and criteria. Results. The selected articles included six pieces of literature identified as a result of discussions conducted within the research. The results showed the emergence of six subthemes, including the impact of athletes' mental health on their performance, the use of relaxation and desensitization methods to manage anxiety, the application of cognitive behavioral therapy, and the use of evidence-based methods to manage post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. The combination of physical and psychological methods for athletes’ recuperation, the need for social support in addressing mental health stigma in sports, and the role of psychotherapy in boosting athletes’ self-assurance are all significant topics. Generally, psychotherapy in sports offered a more comprehensive method of supporting athletes. Conclusion. Psychotherapists, coaches, and athletes could work together to integrate mental health as a crucial component of the training program, preparing athletes not only physically but also mentally to tackle challenges in the competition arena. © 2025, Society of Aging and Physical Activity (SAPA). All rights reserved.
Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia; Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim, Indonesia
