Ben Schellenberg, PhD

Biography

Dr. Ben Schellenberg’s research focuses on people’s favourite activities. Specifically, he is interested in understanding how people can engage in their favourite activities in a way that produces the most benefits (high levels of performance and well-being), while avoiding potential costs (conflict and burnout). He has focused most extensively on the construct of passion and has examined how people’s experiences are affected by the extent to which their passion is harmonious and obsessive. Other topics that he is studying include savouring, self-compassion and perfectionism. He conducts research with various populations, including athletes, sports fans, coaches and students.

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship (Psychology), University of Ottawa (2018)
  • PhD (Psychology), University of Manitoba (2015)
  • MA (Kinesiology), University of British Columbia (2011)
  • BA (Hons.) (Psychology), University of Winnipeg (2008)

Research summary

 Dr. Schellenberg studies the psychological processes facilitating optimal function in sport and in leisure activities. Using diverse research designs he works with populations including athletes, coaches, sport fans and students to explore how personality, motivation and self-regulation relate to each other and affect important activity outcomes, such as performance and well-being.

Recent publications

Schellenberg, B. J. I., Geddes, A., Strachan, S., & Bailis, D. (in press). When self-compassion lacks ferocity: Anger and responding to false accusations. Journal of Personality.

Wortley, K., & Schellenberg, B. J. I. (in press). Self-compassion and willingness to adhere to return-to-play protocol following sport-related concussions. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 

Schellenberg, B. J. I., Gaudreau, P., & Rose, L. (2025). Practically perfect in every way: Perfectionism and evaluations of perfect performances in sport. Personality and Individual Differences, 234, 112954. 

Schellenberg, B. J. I., Verner-Filion, J., & Gaudreau, P. (2024). How do sport fans feel? A new look at passion among sport fans using a quadripartite approach. Motivation and Emotion, 48, 684-699. 

Schellenberg, B. J. I., Verner-Filion, J., Gaudreau, P., & Lötscher, J. (2024). Losing passion: A test of the seasonal attenuation of passion (SAP) hypothesis across three longitudinal studies with athletes and sport fans. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 13(1), 23-38. 

Courses

  • Physical Activity, Health and Wellness (KPER 1200)
  • Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (KPER 2540)
  • Social Psychology of Leisure (REC 3180)