Dr Despina Kouali
Associate Lecturer in Sport Psychology
[email protected]
+357 24694000
Qualifications
- PhD in Psychological Basis of Kinesiology (Sport Psychology), Western University, Canada (2018)
- Master of Science in Psychology of Exercise, University of Thessaly, Greece (2013)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greece (2008)
Specialization
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
Employment Track
- Scientific collaborator, European University Cyprus (2019-)
- Scientific collaborator, C.D.A. College (2021-)
- Scientific collaborator, Frederick University Cyprus (2022-2023)
Memberships (Academic/Professional)
Ν/Α
Research Interests
My research has focused on the development of a psychological well-being measure in the sport context, the link between different types of motivation and psychological well-being in individual and team sports (based on self-determination theory), the role of mental imagery, and the effectiveness of imagery interventions in sport. I have also investigated other topics including the role of pride and perfectionism in physical activity settings, the effectiveness of mindfulness on performance and well-being, and the role of emotions and coping in sport.
Roles and Responsibilities (including past roles and responsibilities)
Teaching and Course Leadership
- Module Leadership/Delivery: Sport and exercise psychology, Introduction to Psychology in Sport & Exercise
Administrative Roles
Ν/Α
Selected Publications
Krommidas, C., Papaioannou, A.G., Comoutos N., Kouali, D., Galanis, E., & Chroni, S.A. (2022). Effects of parental support and coach-initiated motivational climate on young athletes’ psychosocial behaviors and well-being, Asian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2(3), 140-150. Doi: 10.1016/j.ajsep.2022.06.002
Kouali, D., Hall, C., Divine, A., Pope, P. (2021). Motivation and eudaimonic well-being in athletes: A self-determination theory perspective. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1, 1-10. doi:10.1080/02701367.2020.1864259
Deck, S., Kouali, D., DeSantis, B., & Hall, C. (2021). A qualitative approach to understanding the impact of partner play in doubles racquet sports. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 1, 1-18.
Deck, S., Roberts, R., Hall, C., & Kouali, D. (2021). Perfectionism and social physique anxiety using the 2× 2 model. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 19(5) 805-905. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2020.1826998
Kouali, D., Hall, C., & Deck, S. (2020). Examining the effectiveness of an imagery intervention in enhancing athletes’ eudaimonic well-being. Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, 15(1), 1-16.
Kouali, D., Hall, C., & Pope, P. (2020). Measuring eudaimonic well-being in sport: Validation of the Eudaimonic Well-Being in Sport Scale. International Journal of Wellbeing, 10(1),93-106. doi:10.5502/ijw.v10i1.776
Deck, S., Roberts, R., Hall, C., & Kouali, D. (2019). Exercise behaviour, enjoyment and boredom: A test of the 2× 2 model of perfectionism. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 17, 1-15.
Kouali, D., Hall, C., & Pope, P. (2018). Examining an adapted version of Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being in sport. Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity, 10 (4), 213-225. doi: 10.29359/BJHPA.10.4.20
Deck, S., Kouali, D., & Hall, C. (2018). Effects of mental imagery use and mindfulness on anxiety, confidence, mental well-being, and performance in shot putt throwers: A case study. Journal of Emerging Sport Studies, 1,1-13.
Mack, D. E., Kouali, D., Gilchirst, J. D., & Sabiston, C. M. (2015). Pride and physical activity: Behavioural regulations as a motivational mechanism? Psychology and Health, 30(9), 1049-1062. doi:10.1080/08870446.2015.1022547
Selected Conference and Seminar Presentations
Deck, S., Hall, C., Kouali, D., & DeSantis, B. (2018, October). A qualitative approach to understanding the impact of partner play in doubles racquet sports. Poster presentation at the Canadian Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology, Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Deck, S., Kouali, D., & Hall, C. (2018, April). Effects of mental imagery use and mindfulness on anxiety, confidence, mental well-being, and performance in track and field athletes: A case study. Poster presentation at the 4th Annual Kinesiology Graduate Symposium, Western University, Ontario Canada.
Deck, S., Kouali, D., & Hall, C. (2018, March). Effects of mental imagery use and mindfulness on anxiety, confidence, mental well-being, and performance in track and field athletes: A case study. Poster presentation at the Western Research Forum, Western University, Ontario Canada.
Kouali, D., Hall, C., Divine, A., & Pope, P. (2017, October). Motivation and Eudaimonic Well-Being in Athletes: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective. Poster presentation at the Canadian Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada.
Jacobs, K. G., Woerhle, E., Klassen, S., Deck, S., Kouali, D., Humphreys, D., Hall, C., & Shoemaker, K. J. (2017, October). Heart Rate Variability Analysis and Mental Health Outcomes in University Female Hockey Players. Poster presentation at the Canadian Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada.
Kouali, D., Hall, C., & Pope, P. (2017, April). Psychological Well-Being in Sport: Examining the construct validity of a modified version of the Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Poster presentation at the 3rd Annual Kinesiology Graduate Symposium, Western University, Ontario Canada.
Kouali, D., Hall, C., & Pope, P. (2017, March). Psychological Well-Being in Sport: Examining the construct validity of a modified version of the Scales of Psychological Well-Being. Poster presentation at the Western Research Forum, Western University, Ontario Canada.
Kouali, D., Westlund Stewart, N., & Hall, C. (2016, June). The characteristics of cognitive general imagery use in curling. Oral presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Conference, Montreal, Quebec Canada.
Westlund Stewart, N., Kouali, D., & Hall, C. (2016, June). Why athletes use cognitive general imagery in curling: A qualitative investigation. Oral presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Conference, Montreal, Quebec Canada.
Kouali, D., Westlund Stewart, N., & Hall, C. (2016, April). The content of cognitive general imagery use in curling. Oral presentation at the 2nd Annual Kinesiology Graduate Symposium, Western University, Ontario Canada.
Selective Research Funding/ Grant Capture
Ν/Α
Supervision of Projects/PhDs
Ν/Α
Consultancy and CPD Training
N/A
Scholarships/Awards
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Western University, Ontario Canada. CDN $45,000 (2015-2018)
- The A. G. Leventis Foundation Educational Grant, Zurich, Switzerland. US $18,000 (2014-2017)
- Dr. Bert Carron Graduate Scholarship in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Western University, Ontario Canada. CDN $1,000 (2017-2018)
Other Scholarly and Outreach Activities
- Teaching Staff Mobility in the framework of Erasmus+ Programme at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece (2023)
- External examiner of graduate thesis “The things I do for sport.”: Associations with mental health in student-athletes, Brock University, Ontario Canada (2022)
- Reviewer for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022)
- Reviewer for the Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity (2015-2022)
- Reviewer for the Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2017)
- Member of the Organizing Committee for the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology conference. London, Ontario Canada (2014)
