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Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD

Associate Professor
HPER 344
865-974-9253
raz@utk.edu


COURSES TAUGHT

KNS 533 Psychology of Sport (Fall)
KNS 544 Performance Consulting Skills and Strategies (Spring)
KNS 490 Psychology of Coaching (Spring)
KNS 545 Psychological Aspects of Sport Injury (Spring)
KNS 540 Research Development in Sport Psychology: Data Analysis to
Manuscript Submission (Spring, 2012)
KNS 530 Research Development in Sport Psychology: Idea Formation to
Data Collection (Fall, 2011)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Zakrajsek’s primary research interests are within the area of applied sport psychology/sport psychology service provision and coach development, which includes perceptions of sport psychology consultation and use of mental training. Overall, she is interested in ways mental performance consultants can work effectively with and through sport personnel (e.g., coaches, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning coaches) to contribute to optimal performance and development.

Sample of Current Research Projects:

  • Interpersonal and intrapersonal professional skills training within sport and injury contexts
  • Evaluation of mental training and professional development programs
  • US NCAA DI strength and conditioning coaches’ perceptions and use of sport psychology and sport psychology services
  • Certified athletic trainers’ perceptions and use of sport psychology in their practice
  • Certified athletic trainers’ current and potential use of sport psychology services
  • Sport psychology consultants use of mental skills and strategies with various sport personnel

EDUCATION

PhD West Virginia University Sport & Exercise Psychology
MA West Virginia University Counseling
MA West Virginia University Sport Psychology
BS Baldwin-Wallace College Psychology 

EXPERIENCE

2017–Present     Associate Professor, Sport Psychology, The University of Tennessee
2011–2017         Assistant Professor, Sport Psychology, The University of Tennessee
2007–2011         Assistant Professor, Sport Psychology/Coaching Education, Indiana State University
2010–Present     Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®)


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Zakrajsek teaches courses in applied sport and performance psychology and is the co-director of the Applied Sport Psychology Laboratory. She served as a member of the board of directors for the National Council for Accrediting Coaching Education (NCACE). Zakrajsek is currently serving as the chair of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Foundation (AASPF) Community Outreach/Research Seed Grant and Crowdfunding Program Proposal Review Committee. She is also an Associate Editor for Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology (an official journal of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology). She is also a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Sport PsychologyJournal of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, and The Sport Psychologist. She is a member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC®).


RECENT/SELECTED REFEREED PUBLICATIONS

McHenry, L. K.*, Beasley, L., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Hardin, R. (2022). Mental performance and mental health services in sport: A call for interprofessional competence and collaboration. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 36(4), 520-528. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1963218

Jones, M.*, Zakrajsek, R. A., & Eckenrod, M.* (2022). Mental performance and mental health services in NCAA D1 athletic departments. Journal for Advancing Sport Psychology in Research, 2(1), 4-18. doi: https://doi.org/10.55743/0000010.  

Quartiroli, A., Moore, E. W. G., & Zakrajsek, R. A. (2022). Strength and conditioning coaches’ perceptions of sport psychology strategies. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(5), 1327-1334.

McHenry, L. K.*, Cochran, J. L., Zakrajsek, R. A., Fisher, L. A., Couch, S. R., & Hill, B. S. (2022). Elite figure skaters’ experiences of thriving in the coach-athlete relationship: A person-centered theory perspective. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 34(2), 436-456. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2020.1800862

Eckenrod, M. R.*, Raabe, J.*, DeLisio, D. C.*, Crain, J. A.*, & Zakrajsek, R. A. (2021). Mental skills training with U.S. Army ROTC: The implementation of a systematic four-step process. Journal of Performance Psychology, 14(3), 1-18.

Raabe*, J., Zakrajsek, R. A., Eckenrod, M. R.*, & Gilson, T. A. (2021). The influence of social factors in U.S. Army ROTC: A qualitative exploration. Journal for Military Learning, 5, 22-42.

McHenry, L. K.*, Cochran, J. L., Zakrajsek, R. A., Fisher, L. A., Couch, S. R., & Hill, B. S. (2021) Elite figure skaters’ experiences of harm in the coach- athlete relationship: A person-centered theory perspective. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 33(4), 420-440.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2019.1689536

Quartiroli, A., Wagstaff, C. R. D. Zakrajsek, R.A., Knight, S. M., & Etzel, E. F., (2021). The role of self-care and professional quality of life in sustaining a long-lasting career in sport psychology: A qualitative exploration. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. Advanced online publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2021.1907483

Raabe, J.*, Bass, A. D.*, McHenry, L. K.*, & Zakrajsek, R. A. (2020, September). Facilitating the transition out of professional baseball following release: A self-determination theory perspective. The Sport Psychologist, 34(3), 209-219. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2019-0119

Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R. A., Orme, J. G., Readdy, T., & Crain, J. A. (2020). Perceived cadre behavior, basic psychological need satisfaction, and motivation of U.S. Army ROTC cadets: A self-determination theory perspective. Military Psychology. Advanced online publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1781028.

Lauer, E. E.*, Lerman, M., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Lauer, L. (2020). The creation of a mental skills training program in elite youth tennis: A coach-driving approach to developing resilient, confident, competitors. International Sport Coaching Journal, 7, 74-81. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2019-0012.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Raabe, J., Readdy, T., Erdner, S., & Bass, A. (2020). Collegiate assistant coaches’ perceptions of basic psychological need satisfaction and thwarting from head coaches: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32, 28-47. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2019.1581855.

Moore, E. W. G., Quartiroli, A., Zakrajsek, R., & Eckenrod, M. (2019). Increasing collegiate strength and conditioning coaches’ communication of training performance and process goals with athletes. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 41, 18-24. doi: https://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000467.

Bejar., M., Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R., Fisher, L., & Clement, D. (2019). Athletic trainers’ influence on NCAA Division I athletes’ basic psychological needs during sport injury rehabilitation. Journal of Athletic Training, 54, 245-254. doi: https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-112-18.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Fisher, L. A., Martin, S. B. (2018). Certified athletic trainers’ experiences with and perceptions of sport psychology services for student-athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 32, 300-310. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2017-0119.

Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R. A., Bass, A. D., & Readdy, T. (2018). A revolving door: A qualitative investigation of release from professional baseball. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16, 505-519. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2016.1275741.

Quartiroli, A., Etzel, E., Knight, S., & Zakrajsek, R. A. (2018). The Multifaceted Meaning of Sport Psychology Professional Quality of Life. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. Advanced online publication. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0048

Lauer, E. E., Zakrajsek, R. A., Fisher, L. A., Bejar, M., McCowan, T., Martin, S. B., & Vosloo, J. (2018). NCAA DII female student-athletes’ perceptions of their sport uniform and body image. Journal of Sport Behavior, 41, 40-63.

Raabe, J., Readdy, T., Zakrajsek, R. A. (2017). Pathos and orchestration in elite sport: The experiences of NCAA DI student-athletes. The Sport Psychologist, 31, 344-355. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2016-0093.

Raabe, R., & Zakrajsek, R. A. (2017). Coaches and teammates as social agents for collegiate athletes’ basic psychological need satisfaction. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 10, 67-82. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jis.2016-0033.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Fisher, L. A., & Martin, S. B. (2017). Certified athletic trainers’ understanding and use of sport psychology in their practice. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 29, 215-233. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2016.1231722

Bejar, M. P., Fisher, L. A., Nam, B. H., Larsen, L. K., Fynes, J. M., Zakrajsek, R. A. (2017). High-level South Korean elite-level athletes’ experiences of injury and rehabilitation. The Sport Psychologist, 31, 16-29. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2015-0060.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Lauer, E. E., Bodey, K. J. (2017). Integrating mental skills and strategies into youth sport training: A tool for coaches. International Sport Coaching Journal, 4, 76-89.

Arvinen-Barrow, M., Clement, D., Hamson-Utley, J. J., Kamphoff, C., Zakrajsek, R., Lee, S-M.,…Martin, S. B. (2016). Athletes’ expectations about sport injury rehabilitation: A cross-cultural study. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 25, 338-347. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2015-0018

Raabe, J., Zakrajsek, R. A., Readdy, T. (2016). Teammate influence on collegiate swimmers’ basic psychological need satisfaction: A qualitative perspective. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport, 9, 27-49. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jis.2015-0016.

Readdy, T., Zakrajsek, R., Raabe, J. (2016). Real-world experiences of the coaching pathos: Orchestration of American collegiate sport. The Sport Psychologist, 30, 167-178. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2015-0054.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Martin, S. B. & Wrisberg, C. A. (2016). NCAA Division-I certified athletic trainers’ perceptions of the benefits of sport psychology services. Journal of Athletic Training, 51, 398-405. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-51.5.13.

Zakrajsek, R., Thompson, M., Dieffenbach, K. (2015). An exploration of the academic coaching education internship. Sports Coaching Review, 4, 24-40. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2015.1121624.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Martin, S. B., & Wrisberg, C. A. (2015). Sport psychology services in performance settings: NCAA D-I certified athletic trainers’ perceptions. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 4, 280-292. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/spy0000042.

Arvinen-Barrow, M., Clement, D., Hamson-Utley, J. J., Zakrajsek, R. A., Lee, S-M., Kamphoff, C., Lintunen, T.,…Martin, S. B. (2015) Athletes’ use of mental skills during sport injury rehabilitation. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 24, 189-197. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2013-0148.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Steinfeldt, J. A., Bodey, K. J., Martin, S. B., & Zizzi, S. J. (2013) NCAA Division I coaches perceptions and use of sport psychology services: A qualitative perspective. The Sport Psychologist, 27, 258-268. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/tsp.27.3.258.

Steinfeldt, J. A., Zakrajsek, R. A., Bodey, K. J., Middendorf, K. G., & Martin, S. B. (2013). Role of uniform in the body image of college volleyball players. The Counseling Psychologist, 41, 791-819. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0011000012457218.

Clement, D., Hamson-Utley, J., Arvinen-Barrow, M., Kamphoff, C., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Martin, S. B. (2012). College athletes’ expectations about injury rehabilitation with an athletic trainer. International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training, 17, 18-27.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Martin, S. B., & Zizzi, S. J. (2011). American high School football coaches’ attitudes toward sport psychology consultation and intentions to use sport psychology services. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 6, 461-478.

Steinfeldt, J. A., Zakrajsek, R., Carter, H., & Steinfeldt, M. C. (2011) Conformity to gender norms of female-athletes: Implications for body image. Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 12, 401-416. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0023634.

Zakrajsek, R., & Zizzi, S. (2008, April). How do coaches’ attitudes change when exposed to a sport psychology workshop? Journal of Coaching Education, 1(1). Retrieved from http://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/pdf/10.1123/jce.1.1.66

Zakrajsek, R., Abildso, C. G, Hurst, J. R., & Watson, J. C. (2007). The relationship among coaches’ and athletes’ perceptions of coaching staff cohesion, team cohesion, and performance. Athletic Insight: The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 9(3). Retrieved from http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol9Iss3/CoachingStaffCohesion.htm.

Zakrajsek, R. A., & Zizzi, S. J. (2007). Factors influencing track and swimming coaches intentions to use sport psychology services. Athletic Insight: The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 9(2). Retrieved from http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol9Iss2/CoachesIntentions.htm.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Martin, S. B., Zakrajsek, R. A., Casey, T., & Bianco, A. G. (2020). Mental techniques for performance. (Independent Course, ISC 30.3.4). In C. Hughes (Ed.), Special topics: Enhancing performance using a mind, body, metric approach. Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, American Physical Therapy Association.

Zakrajsek, R. A., & Thompson, M. (2019). Sport psychology. In T. W. Nesser (Ed.). The Professional’s Guide to Strength and Conditioning: Safe and Effective Principles for Maximizing Athletic Performance. (pp. 321-339). College Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, BYU Academic Publishing.

Zakrajsek, R. A., Raabe, J., & Blanton, J. E. (2019). Psychological characteristics of elite athletes. In M. H. Anshel, T. Petrie, J. Steinfeldt, (Eds.). APA handbooks in psychology series. APA handbook of sport and exercise psychology: Vol 1. Sport Psychology (pp. 129-148). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0000123-008.

Lauer, L. Zakrajsek, R. A., & Lauer, E. E.* (2018). The role of sport psychology for young athletes. In C. J. Knight, C. Harwood, & D. Gould (Eds.), Sport psychology for young athletes (pp. 9-20). New York, NY: Routledge.

Zakrajsek, R. A., & Blanton, J. (Published online, August 2017) Evaluation of psychological interventions in sport and exercise settings. In O. Braddick (Ed.) Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.223

Vosloo, J., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Grindley, E. (2016). From mentee to mentor: A case study for the neophyte supervisor. In J. G. Cremades & L. S. Tashman (Eds.) Global practices and training in applied sport, exercise, and performance psychology: A case study approach (pp. 230-236). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Vosloo, J., Zakrajsek, R., & Grindley, E. (2014). From mentee to mentor: Considerations for the neophyte supervisor. In J. G. Cremades & L. S. Tashman (Eds.) Becoming a sport, exercise, and performance psychology professional: A global perspective (pp. 228-235). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis.

Martin, S. B., Zakrajsek, R. A., & Wrisberg, C. A. (2012). Attitudes toward sport psychology and seeking assistance: Key factors and a proposed model. In C. D. Logan & M. I. Hodges (Eds.). Psychology of attitudes (pp. 1-33). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

WEBSITES OF INTEREST

appliedsportpsych.org
qualitycoachingeducation.org