A qualitative exploration of the influence of high lifetime stressor exposure on sports performers interpretations of daily life stressors

Research has found that lifetime stressor exposure increases the risk for mental and physical health problems. Although important, previous research has predominantly used self-report questionnaires, which only assess stressor exposure at a single point in time. To address this limitation, we used a longitudinal study design to explore how historical exposure to high lifetime stress influences sport performers’ interpretations of, and responses to, daily life stressors. We identified participants in the top 10% of lifetime stressor count and severity, as assessed by the Stress and Adversity Inventory and the Sport Stress Assessment Module. 298 sport performers (153 male; <i>M_age</i> = 30.71 years, <i>SD</i> = 13.31) completed these measures, and seven participants (3 female; <i>M_age</i> = 31.86 years, <i>SD</i> = 8.65) who had experienced high lifetime stress completed daily audio diaries for a 28-day period about their interpretations of, and responses to, daily life stressors. We analyzed the data using interpretative phenomenological analysis and identified six group experiential themes: (1) hyperfixation; (2) disproportionate responses to stressors; (3) self-reliance leading to social isolation; (4) unrealistically high expectations of self and others; (5) overly empathetic to others; and (6) hypervigilance to future stressors. This study extends prior research by utilizing daily audio diaries to capture longitudinal data, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of how historical exposure to stressors influence responses to daily life stressors. Consequently, practitioners can use these findings to educate sport performers on utilizing more adaptive responses to acute daily life stressors. We used a longitudinal design to explore how historical exposure to stressors influences responses to daily stressors. Sport performers responded by hyperfixating, engaging in self-reliance, having high expectations, being overly empathetic and being hypervigilant. Results offer important implications for supporting sport performers in utilizing more adaptive responses to daily stressors. Interventions should foster a sense of community among sport performers by building resonance and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.Sport performers should be directed toward prioritizing their mental health and well-being vs. short-term gains (e.g., increased productivity).Video narratives are a novel and alternative way to implement stress management techniques to help sport performers appraise, manage, and deal with stressors more effectively. Interventions should foster a sense of community among sport performers by building resonance and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Sport performers should be directed toward prioritizing their mental health and well-being vs. short-term gains (e.g., increased productivity). Video narratives are a novel and alternative way to implement stress management techniques to help sport performers appraise, manage, and deal with stressors more effectively.

已有研究证实，终身应激源暴露会提升心理健康与躯体健康问题的发病风险。尽管既往研究具有重要价值，但大多采用自我报告问卷，仅能评估单个时间点的应激源暴露情况。为弥补这一研究局限，本研究采用纵向研究设计，探究终身重度应激暴露史如何影响运动员对日常应激源的解读与应对方式。

本研究通过应激与逆境量表（Stress and Adversity Inventory）及运动应激评估模块（Sport Stress Assessment Module），筛选出终身应激源数量与严重程度均处于前10%的参与者。最终298名运动员（153名男性；平均年龄<i>M_age</i> = 30.71岁，标准差<i>SD</i> = 13.31）完成了上述测评；其中7名存在终身重度应激暴露的运动员（3名女性；平均年龄<i>M_age</i> = 31.86岁，标准差<i>SD</i> = 8.65）在28天内每日完成音频日记，记录自身对日常应激源的解读与应对方式。

本研究采用解释现象学分析法（interpretative phenomenological analysis）对数据进行分析，共提炼出6个群体体验主题：1. 过度专注（hyperfixation）；2. 对应激源的过度反应；3. 过度自我依赖导致社交孤立；4. 对自身与他人抱有不切实际的高期望；5. 对他人过度共情；6. 对未来应激源保持过度警觉。

本研究通过采用每日音频日记获取纵向数据，拓展了既往研究的边界，有助于更全面地理解既往应激暴露如何影响个体对日常应激源的应对方式。据此，从业者可基于本研究结果，指导运动员采用更具适应性的方式应对急性日常应激源。

本研究采用纵向设计，探究应激暴露史对日常应激应对的影响。结果显示，运动员的应激应对方式包括过度专注、自我依赖、高期望、过度共情与过度警觉。本研究结果为支持运动员采用更适应性的日常应激应对方式提供了重要实践启示。

干预措施应通过建立情感联结，减少运动员的孤立与孤独感，以培育群体归属感；同时应引导运动员优先关注自身心理健康与福祉，而非短期收益（如提升生产力）。视频叙事作为一种新颖的应激管理干预方式，可帮助运动员更有效地评估、管理与应对应激源。