Dr Dean Watson

Dean is a HCPC registered Sport & Exercise Psychologist. Previously, he completed an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. He then completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, before then completing a PhD where he has been developing interventions to reduce athlete perfectionism.

Dean's research in this area has developed his teaching skills as he has been able to transfer robust, evidence-based techniques into practice. This has provided students with a clear outlook at the technical aspects of sport psychology.

Research Interests and Research Subject Specialisms:
Interested in the development and assessment of interventions aimed at reducing athlete perfectionism.

Teaching specialisms;
Sport Psychology
Social Psychology

Publications and Research:
Watson, D. R. (2024). Insights and challenges of working with perfectionism in sport. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, (aop), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520704.2024.2316911

Watson, D. R., Hill, A. P., Madigan, D. J., & Donachie, T. (2024). Effectiveness of an online acceptance and commitment therapy programme for perfectionism in soccer players: A randomized control trial. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 13(1), 5-22. https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000333

Watson, D. R., Gustafsson, H., & Lundqvist, C. (2023). Working with perfectionism in high performance sport. An ACT perspective. In A. P. Hill (2nd Eds.), The psychology of perfectionism in sport, dance and exercise (pp. 285-304). London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003288015-14

Watson, D. R., Hill, A. P., & Madigan, D. J. (2022). Psychological skills training and perfectionism: A single-subject multiple baseline study. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 35(5), 854-873. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2022.2137597

Watson, D. R., Hill, A. P., & Madigan, D. J. (2023). Perfectionism and attitudes towards sport psychology support and mental health support in athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 17(1), 11-26. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2020-0052