Athletic Coaches as Violence Prevention Advocates

Abstract

Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) is a significant public health problem. Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is an evidence-based ARA prevention program that trains coaches to deliver violence prevention messages to male athletes. Assessing acceptability and impact of CBIM on coaches may inform prevention efforts that involve these important adults in health promotion among youth. As part of a two-armed cluster-randomized controlled trial of CBIM in 16 high schools in Northern California, coaches completed baseline and postseason surveys (n = 176) to assess their attitudes and confidence delivering the program. Coaches in the intervention arm also participated in interviews (n = 36) that explored program acceptability, feasibility, and impact. Relative to controls, intervention coaches showed increases in confidence intervening when witnessing abusive behaviors among their athletes, greater bystander intervention, and greater frequency of violence-related discussions with athletes and other coaches. Coaches reported the program was easy to implement and valuable for their athletes. Findings illustrate the value of exploring attitudinal and behavioral changes among ARA prevention implementers, and suggest that coaches can gain confidence and enact behaviors to discourage ARA among male athletes. Coaches found the program to be feasible and valuable, which suggests potential for long-term uptake and sustainability.

Call for Research on Bystander Intervention to Prevent Sexual Violence: The Role of Campus Environments

“…Fonagy et al's (2009) work on anti-bullying programs in elementary schools found that successful interventions have a whole-school approach, involving administration and training for teachers. In a study by Jaime et al (2014), the authors found that high school athletic coaches who participated in bystander education training were more likely to intervene themselves, as well as discuss bystander intervention with their teams and encourage pro-social action. Thornberg et al's (2012) qualitative study with adolescents also found that students identified coaches as motivating them to step in as bystanders in bullying situations.…”

“…Research would also be useful to evaluate whether explicit training for campus community leaders (i.e. Residence Life Staff, coaches) may result in a greater ability to model and assist students with pro-social interventions (Jaime et al 2014).…”

Coach Expectations About Off-Field Conduct and Bystander Intervention by U.S. College Football Players to Prevent Inappropriate Sexual Behavior

“…Coaches have been identified as important source of messaging for studentathletes about what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate off-field behavior (Jaime et al, 2014). No research to date has assessed whether coach expectations about appropriate off-field conduct and team consequences for violating those expectations are related to the likelihood team members will intervene to prevent inappropriate sexual behavior.…”

Players' Responses to and Primary Caregivers' Perceptions of Authoritarian and Authoritative Coaching in the Inner-City

“…In underserved settings, interpersonal relationships within non-familial adults (such as coaches) are important (Levine & Munsch, 2016). The coach-athlete relationship is essential because coaches have the ability to become role models and mentors to their athletes due to the consistency and time spent in games, practices, and off-court activities (Jaime et al, 2015). Furthermore, research shows that athletes' perceptions of strong coach-athlete relationships are linked to positive developmental experiences (Jowett, 2008).…”

“…In sport, coaches consistently spend time and interact with their athletes throughout the season, whether it is during practice, games or tournaments. Coaches can become role models (Jaime et al, 2015) and develop a close, natural mentoring relationship with athletes (DuBois & Silverthorn, 2005). Research shows that natural mentoring relationships that occur over years have the strongest effects in youth (DuBois & Silverthorn).…”