Through two phases we examined self-compassion as a way to promote healthy reactions, thoughts, and emotions in young women athletes when faced with emotionally difficult sport-specific scenarios. In Phase I, participants (N = 101; Mage = 20.0) completed measures of self-compassion, self-esteem, and narcissism, as well as reactions, thoughts, and emotions in response to hypothetical (i.e., responsible for a team loss) and recalled scenarios. After partialling out self-esteem and narcissism, self-compassion was related (p < .01) to negative affect (r =-.40), catastrophizing thoughts (r =-.30), personalizing thoughts (r =-.32), and behavioural equanimity (r =.28) for the hypothetical scenario. A similar pattern was found for the recalled scenario. Participants returning for Phase II were randomly assigned to a self-compassion induction (n = 21), self-esteem induction (n =20), or writing control (n =18) group. Following the induction, they responded to the same hypothetical scenario as in Phase I. A doubly multivariate analysis with self-esteem and narcissism as covariates showed a non-significant induction by time interaction, Wilks’ Lambda = .75, F (12, 96) = 1.27. However, hierarchical regression analysis similar to Leary et al. (2007) showed initial levels of self-compassion as the only significant predictor for negative affect, personalizing thoughts, and behavioural equanimity. Future research needs continued focus on how and when self-compassion is most useful to young women athletes.

Bakgrund: Varje år utbildar Sveriges Riksidrottsgymnasier (RIG) ca 1200 ungdomar med målet att nå internationell nivå inom sin idrott. Studier har visat att ca 32% av de kvinnliga eleverna har någon form av menstruationsdysfunktion vilket kan vara en av konsekvenserna vid låg energitillgänglighet (LEA). När en idrottare har för lågt energiintag i förhållande till träningsmängd kan de drabbas av den kvinnliga idrottstriaden (Triaden; LEA, menstruationsrubbningar och låg bentäthet) som även ingår i syndromet relativ energibrist inom sport (RED-S) och kan påverka både hälsa och prestation negativt. För att förebygga och motverka långsiktiga konsekvenser krävs kunskap bland både idrottare och tränare. Syfte: Syftet med studien var således att undersöka kunskapsläget gällande Triaden och RED-S hos unga kvinnliga idrottare på ett idrottsgymnasium, samt deras tränare. Metod: 16 RIG kontaktades via mejl där kvinnliga idrottare och tränare tillfrågades om deltagande via ett anonymt digitalt frågeformulär bestående av frågor om Triaden och RED-S samt frågor om upplevd trygghet och stöd inom ämnet. Resultat: Totalt svarade 35 personer (25 idrottare och 10 tränare) på enkäten. Resultatet visade att kunskap gällande Triaden och RED-S var relativt låg. Fler respondenter hade hört talas om RED-S jämfört Triaden och signifikant fler tränare jämfört idrottare kunde benämna Triadens tre ingående komponenter (p=0,024). 41% av respondenterna kände sig inte trygga i att rapportera symptom och fler tränare jämfört idrottare kände sig trygga i att söka hjälp utifrån (100% vs. 52%, p=0,032). Vidare visade resultatet att idrottarna önskade mer utbildning och stöd samt någon de kan lita på och prata med vid problem. Även tränarna tyckte mer utbildning inom ämnet vore värdefullt. Slutsats: Resultatet indikerar att få idrottare har goda kunskaper inom Triaden och RED-S och känner en viss otrygghet att rapportera symptom till sin tränare eller annan utomstående. Både idrottare och tränare ansåg det önskvärt med mer utbildning och öppenhet inom ämnet för att kunna förebygga och motverka konsekvenserna av Triaden och RED-S. / Background: Every year, 1200 students start their education at one of the Swedish National Sports Gymnasiums with the goal of reaching international level in their sport. Studies have shown that c. 32% of female students have some form of menstrual dysfunction which can be a consequence of low energy availability (LEA). When an athlete has too low energy intake in relation to training amount they may suffer from the female athlete triad (Triaden; LEA, menstrualdysfuction and low bone density) which is a part of the syndrome relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) which can negatively affect both health and performance. To prevent long-term consequences, knowledge is required among both athletes and coaches. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the state of knowledge regarding the Triad and RED-S among young female athletes who attend a sports gymnasium, as well as their coaches. Method: 16 National Sports Gymnasiums in Sweden were contacted through email where female athletes and coaches were asked about participation via an anonymous digital questionnaire consisting of questiones of knowledge about the Traid and RED-S and questiones about percieved safety and support in the subject. Results: A total of 35 people (25 athletes and 10 coaches) completed the survey. The results showed that knowledge regarding the Triad and RED-S was relatively low. More respondents had heard of RED-S compared to the Triad and significantly more coaches compared to athletes could name the three components of the Triad (p=0,024). 41% of the respondents did not feel safe in reporting symptoms and more coaches felt confident in seeking outside help compared to athletes (100% vs. 52%, p=0,032). Furthermore, the results showed that the athletes wanted more education and support as well as someone they can trust and talk to in case of problems. The coaches also thought more education on the subject would be valueble. Conclusion: The results indicate that few athletes have good knowledge of the Triad and RED-S and feel a certain insecurity of reporting symptoms to their coach or other outside staff. Both athletes and coaches consider it desirable to have more education and openness on the subject in order to prevent the consequences of the Triad and RED-S.