Date of Conferral

8-18-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

Elite athletes experience physical, cognitive, and emotional demands that affect athletic performance and personal well-being, increasing the risk for anxiety, depression, burnout, attentional difficulties, and maladaptive coping strategies. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) has been examined for its effect on attentional control, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and stress resilience, but limited qualitative research has examined how elite athletes experience the practice of mindfulness. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore elite athletes’ perceptions of the practice of mindfulness for mental health and optimal performance. The theoretical framework draws from mindfulness theory and MBSR principles. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 11 elite athletes competing at professional, Olympic, or collegiate levels who have documented experience between 2 to 14 years of mindfulness practice. Thematic analysis identified seven themes: mindfulness as mental conditioning that trains the mind like the body; mindfulness as emotional regulation and psychological stabilization; mindfulness as a catalyst for flow, focus, and performance enhancement; mindfulness as identity balance and holistic self-understanding; mindfulness as an evolving journey from skepticism to advocacy; structural, cultural, and environmental determinants of mindfulness sustainability; and mindfulness as complementary to, rather than in conflict with, performance goals. Implications for positive social change include informing mental health support systems for elite athletes, improving the design and delivery of mindfulness interventions in sport psychology practice, and contributing to athlete well-being in high-performance environments.

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