Skewed to the Right: Sport, Mental Health and Vulnerability

The book "Skewed to the Right" explores the celebrated traits of high-performance athletes, such as obsessionality, masochism, and focus, and how these characteristics can enhance performance but also hinder life off the field and develop into clinically diagnosable mental health difficulties. It discusses weight-restricted sport and personality traits that help and hinder, and looks at acceptance, which many sportspeople struggle with. The book aims to increase social awareness of the reality of life for successful athletes and the challenging dynamics in sporting culture.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2021
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing House

The demands of high-performance athletes are immense, with many celebrated for their achievements and put on a pedestal for admired personality traits such as discipline, sacrifice, commitment, and focus. This book seeks to explore the celebrated traits of high-performance athletes and, by doing so, to increase awareness of the vulnerability that such traits also present. Through discussion with professional sports people and presentation of their own personal stories, the book explores obsessionality, masochism, and focus, and how these characteristics can enhance performance on the field yet hinder life off it and may even develop into clinically diagnosable mental health difficulties. In psychology, assessments are based on statistical phenomena; the title "Skewed to the Right" is based on the "bell curve" that is shown through a graph whereby the majority sit in the middle with a few clusters at either end of the extremes. The suggestion is that elite athletes are "skewed to the right on a number of key traits that put them between the 'general population and those with a clinical diagnosis."

The book opens with an exploration of weight-restricted sports and how making weight is achieved through practices that become culturally acceptable in the sporting world yet would be seen to be classified as clinically diagnosable eating disorders.

The interviews conducted in this book provide a unique insight into the lives of high-performance athletes and their experiences with obsessionality, masochism, and focus. Graeme Fowler, an England cricketer, discusses his experiences with pressure and the importance of maintaining a balance between his sporting and personal life. Nigel Owens, a Welsh International Rugby Union referee, shares his insights into the challenges of refereeing at the highest level and the importance of mental preparation. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a Paralympian, discusses her journey to success and the importance of resilience and determination. Kieren Emery, a GB lightweight rower, talks about the physical and mental demands of his sport and the strategies he uses to maintain his performance. Mark Enright, a jockey, discusses his experiences with injury and the importance of mental toughness in the racing industry. Michelle Bergstrand, a British cyclo-cross champion, shares her insights into the mental and physical preparation required for cyclo-cross races. Luke Stoltman, a five-times Scotlands Strongest Man, discusses his training regimen and the challenges he faces in competition. Jack Rutter, a Paralympian and England cerebral palsy football captain, shares his experiences with disability and the importance of inclusion and diversity in sports. Ruth Walczak, a GB lightweight rower, discusses her journey to success and the importance of teamwork and support.

Overall, "Skewed to the Right" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the characteristics of high-performance athletes and the challenges they face. The interviews provide a deep insight into the lives of these athletes and their experiences with obsessionality, masochism, and focus. The book raises important questions about the balance between sport and life, the pressures of performance, and the importance of mental health support for athletes. It is a must-read for coaches, athletes, sports enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the world of high-performance sports.

Weight: 322g
Dimension: 156 x 227 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912691821