Effectiveness of a(cognitive-behavioral)program in counterfactual thinking and performance of first division referees in football

Abstract

The research seeks to identify the level of counter-factual thinking and psychological first division football referees, as the researchers built a counter-factual thinking scale, as well as building a guidance program, and identifying the best effectiveness between the method included in the guidance program and the method followed in the variable. The researchers used the experimental method with the design of the experimental and control groups with pre- and post-measurement, and the research community consisted of (183) referees representing all governorates of Iraq, As for the construction sample, it consisted of (154) referees, while the application sample amounted to (19) referees representing (first division football referees for Wasit Governorate), the researchers conducted pre-measurements on the main research sample (experimental and control) on (Friday 12/1/2024), the researchers then carried out the main research experiment by exposing the referees of the experimental group to the independent variable (the counseling program), in two sessions per week, for a period of (45) minutes per session, and for the period from (19/1/2024 to 26/ 2/2024), after which he conducted post-measurements on the research sample (experimental and control) on (26/ 2/2024), The data was then statistically processed using (SPSS) and discussed scientifically, and several conclusions were drawn, including: The guidance program prepared by the researchers has a positive impact on improving counter-factual thinking of first-class football referees in Wasit Governorate, and also showed the style The guidance program followed has a higher effect than the method used in improving counter-factual thinking, In light of these conclusions, the researchers made the most important recommendations, including: adopting the psychological counseling program that used, as well as adopting the counter-factual thinking scale that was built, as they have proven its effectiveness in measuring what it was designed for, as well as using programs Guidance and its application, especially during the preparation period, and the emphasis on the importance of the psychological aspect by those in charge of the arbitration system, as well as the involvement of lecturers and evaluators in psychological counseling courses.