A Multilayer Approach for Assessing the Psychological Needs of Aspiring Soccer Players: Implications for Overseeing Talent Development

The aim of this study was to examine the relevance of a set of psychological assessment tools for professional practice in talent development psychology. Data collection on 70 talented adolescent soccer players (ages 15-19 years) from a French-speaking part of Switzerland was based on McAdams' framework. Data were processed to identify main team characteristics and differences between subgroups compared to standard values. Results suggested needs for psychological support in four domains: (a) management of emotional stability to reduce anxiety regarding performance and interactions with coaches; (b) enhancement of involvement in practice, including conscientiousness, quality of practice, and building positive and supportive relationships with coaches; (c) protection against substance abuse and doping; and (d) appropriation of activities that improve performance and increase the likelihood of benefiting from the challenges. The results indicate how these tools can be packaged as a set for overseeing talent development in general. Public Significance Statement This study suggests that regular multilevel assessment of personality factors is a key method that offers useful information to oversee the psychological development of talented soccer players.