Research

Research and Publications

I have an interest in what happens to athletes and sportspersons following career termination and what can influence outcomes. I have undertaken several research projects in this area with footballers specifically (see publications below).

In the future, I would be interested in undertaking further research aimed at developing and evaluating two strands of service provision for athletes and sportspersons. Firstly, I would like to develop tailored and personalised interventions for sportspersons experiencing mental health difficulties and psychological distress following career termination. Secondly, I would be interested in developing preventative approaches that (i) minimise the risk of adverse outcomes following career termination, (ii) foster psychological well-being, and (iii) make the sportspersons transition to another career within or outside of sport smoother.

If you are a researcher interested in these areas and/or working together, please contact me.

Blakelock, D.J., & Slater, M. (2020). A developing grounded theory regarding how footballers measure outcomes following career termination and what influences these outcomes. Journal of Sport Behavior, 42(3), 288-318.
Blakelock, D.J., Chen, M., & Prescott, T. (2019). Coping and psychological distress in elite adolescent soccer players following professional academy deselection. Journal of Sport Behavior, 42(1), 3-28.
Blakelock, D.J., Chen, M., & Prescott, T. (2016). Psychological distress in elite adolescent soccer players following deselection. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 10, 59-77.

Aims and Values

Assisting others, being hardworking and dedicated, persistence, being skillful and being highly competent.
Aims and Values
David Blakelock

About Me

A dual-trained Clinical and Sport Psychologist working in the NHS, Changing Minds UK and independently.
About me

Services

Psychological services aimed at enhancing your performance and improving your mental health and well-being.
Services