A psychoanalytic perspective on constructive feedback interactions among table tennis athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v79.119094Keywords:
Elite table tennis, psychoanalysis, constructive feedback, psychodynamics, high-performance sportsAbstract
Background and study aim: Table tennis training focuses primarily on physical and technical aspects, tending to neglect psychological aspects. Therefore, in-depth study is needed to understand how emotional dynamics influence performance in table tennis athletes.. This study aims to explore the mechanisms of constructive feedback interactions through psychoanalysis in elite table tennis athletes, thereby understanding how emotional dynamics influence performance.
Materials and methods: The research method was mixed-methods. The qualitative phase involved psychoanalytic interviews with 6 experienced elite athletes to identify psychodynamic themes. The quantitative phase involved 30 elite athletes using total sampling with a validated questionnaire (R > 0.361; Cronbach’s Alpha – 0.949). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis for the qualitative phase and descriptive percentage analysis for the quantitative phase.
Results: The findings showed that 90% of athletes were able to maintain emotional control and did not perceive criticism as a personal attack, indicating mature ego strength. Coaches succeeded in serving as a buffer for anxiety and creating a safe holding environment, resulting in 83% of athletes experiencing increased motivation after receiving corrective feedback. The democratic-interactionist coaching style was the dominant choice (73.3%), providing evidence of its effectiveness in reducing psychological retention and enabling the internalization of tactics at an automated level.
Conclusions: Constructive feedback interaction is a crucial mechanism that goes beyond mere technical instruction. The success of elite athletes depends on coaches to build a psychologically symbiotic relationship. This study provides practical insights for table tennis coaching, emphasizing the coach’s psychodynamic sensitivity in managing anxiety to achieve sustainable performance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ricky Wirasasmita, Heny Setyawati, Hermawan Pamot Raharjo, Hadi Hadi, Bambang Priyono, Donny Wira Yudha Kusuma, Dewangga Yudhistira
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