A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Non-Face-to-Face Coaching

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of non-face-to-face coaching in South Korea in order to present alternatives in the post-COVID-19 environment. The research collected domestic studies on non-face-to-face coaching in South Korea and analysed the studies through a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Among 1081 papers retrieved from the database, we selected ten papers for meta-analysis. Using the random effect model to measure effect size, the total effect size of non-face-to-face coaching was 0.77. When we divided the effect of non-face-to-face coaching into psychological, cognitive, and physical effects, the cognitive effects were the largest. In addition, examining non-face-to-face coaching by type resulted in a larger effect size of web-based online coaching in comparison to telephone coaching. By contrast, the effect sizes of non-face-to-face coaching by subject had the largest effect size on subjects with the highest level of vulnerability. This study found that non-face-to-face coaching had a large effect, with relatively large cognitive and psychological effects. Future investigations should supplement the present research through follow-up studies on non-face-to-face coaching.

Defining digital coaching: a qualitative inductive approach

“…Similarly, coaching-related training apps showed positive outcomes on short-term personality change and self-control (e.g., Schueller et al, 2013;Nahum-Shani et al, 2018;Allemand et al, 2020;Stieger et al, 2021;Allemand and Flückiger, 2022;Kettunen et al, 2022). Furthermore, first studies on phone/chat coaching indicate similar results, showing beneficial effect on goal clarification, goal attainment, subjective well-being, the coach-client relationship and coaching satisfaction (Ghods, 2009;Berry et al, 2011;Poepsel, 2011;Kim and Lee, 2023;Wang et al, 2023) -while noting that these studies have their limitations based on their experimental design, sample size, and the specificity of coaching offer. Likewise, coaching-related video consulting approaches seem to not conflict with the coach-client relationship and the coaching effectiveness (Carson and Choppin, 2021;Bak et al, 2023).…”

“…Yet, not every coaching approach is more effective online (Bak et al, 2023;Kim and Lee, 2023) and there are risks when using digital tools in coaching. Firstly, interventions in a digital environment can reduce the visibility of nonverbal cues, potentially impacting the development of trust and adversely impacting the working alliance, leading to less openness, commitment, and goal attainment (Wells et al, 2007;Scharff, 2013;Amichai-Hamburger et al, 2014;Feijt et al, 2020).…”