Thriving refers to when someone is experiencing both success and development (Brow et al., 2017, Su et al., 2014). Currently there is little literature specifically focusing on thriving in sports (Fletcher, 2019) However, based on the current work that has been done on the topic, the development part of thriving could mean that someone is improving physically, mentally, or socially in their sport. The success part of thriving could mean that someone is achieving their goals in a way that can be measured by themselves or compared to others.
There are personal and environmental factors that can help someone thrive. Personal factors are traits, thoughts, and actions that make someone more likely to thrive, like having a positive personality or being motivated (Brown et al., 2017). Environmental factors are things in the world around someone that can help them thrive, like having a supportive family or teammates (Brown et al., 2017). These things work together to help someone thrive by fulfilling their psychological needs and challenging them in a positive way.
Brown, D. J., Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Standage, M. (2017). Human thriving: A conceptual debate and literature review. European Psychologist, 22, 167179.
Su, R., Tay, L., & Diener, E. (2014). The development and validation of the comprehensive inventory of thriving (CIT) and the brief inventory of thriving (BIT). Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 6, 251279
Fletcher, D. (2019). In D. Hackfort, R. J. Schinke, & B. Strauss (Eds.), Dictionary of sport psychology: Sport, exercise, and performing arts. Academic Press.
