Withdrawal and self-blame are considered maladaptive coping strategies because they generally fail to address the stressor effectively and may increase distress, reduce well-being, and impair sporting performance over time.
In SEHS subtopic C.4.2 Coping, coping refers to the cognitive and behavioural efforts used to manage demands perceived as stressful. A strategy is maladaptive when its longer-term consequences make adjustment to the stressor less effective, even if it provides temporary emotional relief.
| Maladaptive strategy | Mechanism and likely consequences |
|---|---|
| Withdrawal | The athlete disengages from the stressful situation, activity, teammates, coach, or sources of social support. Avoiding training or communication may reduce anxiety temporarily, but it leaves the stressor unresolved and can increase isolation, reduce preparation, and weaken performance. |
| Self-blame | The athlete attributes a negative event primarily to personal inadequacy, often using thoughts such as “I failed because I am not good enough.” This can intensify guilt, lower self-efficacy, encourage rumination, and make constructive problem-solving less likely. |
For example, after a poor competition, an athlete using withdrawal might stop attending team training and avoid speaking to the coach. An athlete using self-blame might interpret the result as proof of permanent personal failure rather than identifying controllable factors such as pacing, technique, or preparation.
Both strategies can create a negative cycle: the athlete experiences stress, uses maladaptive coping, fails to resolve the cause, and then experiences greater stress or poorer performance. More adaptive responses could include seeking social support, using problem-focused coping, setting realistic goals, or applying cognitive reappraisal.
A common misconception is that withdrawal always means taking a short recovery break. Planned rest can be adaptive; withdrawal is maladaptive when it involves persistent avoidance or disengagement that prevents effective coping.