MRes - Exploring Psychological and Environmental Characteristics in Female Football Talent Development: A Mixed-Methods Study (Project ID SAS0230)

About the Project

Talent development in sport is increasingly understood as a dynamic process shaped by the interaction between individual psychological characteristics and the environments in which athletes develop. Contemporary models emphasise that development is not solely determined by innate ability or isolated psychological traits, but by how athletes engage with, and are supported by, their developmental contexts (Gagné, 2015; Henriksen et al., 2010).

Within this literature, considerable attention has been given to Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence (PCDEs) such as motivation, self-regulation, commitment, and coping which are associated with progression and adaptation in high-performance pathways (MacNamara, Button, & Collins, 2010). In addition, research on Talent Development Environments (TDEs) highlights the importance of environmental features such as support structures, communication, long-term focus, and psychosocial climate in shaping athlete development (Martindale, Collins, & Daubney, 2005; Martindale et al., 2010).

Recent mixed-methods research has demonstrated that psychological and environmental characteristics interact mutually, influencing how talent is nurtured over time (Saward et al., 2025). However, much of this work has focused primarily on athlete perspectives, with comparatively less attention given to how coaches understand, interpret, and actively shape these characteristics in practice. This gap is particularly evident within female football talent pathways, where contextual, cultural, and developmental factors may differ from male systems and remain under-researched.

Aim

The aim of this project is to examine how psychological and environmental characteristics are experienced by athletes and interpreted by coaches within female football talent development environments.

Specifically, the project seeks to:

• Explore athletes’ perceptions of their talent development environment and key psychological characteristics associated with development.
• Examine how coaches understand these psychological and environmental characteristics
• Investigate how coaching practices and environmental design are perceived to shape developmental conditions within female football pathways.

Methodology

The project will adopt an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide both breadth and depth of understanding (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018).

Quantitative phase

Female football athletes will complete the following questionnaires: the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ), which assesses key features of the developmental environment (Martindale et al., 2010); the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ), capturing psychological skills and attributes associated with development (MacNamara et al., 2010). These data will provide an overview of perceived environmental strengths and challenges, alongside athletes’ psychological characteristics.

Qualitative phase

Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with coaches working in female football talent development settings. These interviews will explore how coaches interpret athletes’ psychological and environmental needs; how coaching practices are used to shape the developmental environment; how psychological and environmental characteristics are perceived to interact over time. The qualitative data will be used to contextualise and explain patterns observed in the questionnaire findings, enabling a practice-informed understanding of talent development processes.

Academic qualifications

A first degree (at least a 2.2) ideally in a discipline related to sport, exercise or health with a good fundamental knowledge of the research process.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:

• Experience of fundamental applications in coaching, psychology, or talent development
• Competent in basic qualitative or quantitative data collection and analysis
• Knowledge of psychological factors in sport or women’s football or talent development environments
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management

Desirable attributes:

Currently working in female football

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK https://evision.napier.ac.uk/si/sits.urd/run/siw_sso.go?Li7JJriJehDCOCkvaJp2SRVPPqzmF5e3HaFVqV3N8cVKWOIm2b

When applying, please quote the application reference SAS0230 on your form.

 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)
• A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of
• What you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)

Funding Notes

1 year full-time study for a Home fees student