Demographic differences in sport performers’ experiences of organizational stressors

Abstract

Organizational stressors are particularly prevalent across sport performers' experiences and can influence their performance, health, and well-being. Research has been conducted to identify which organizational stressors are encountered by sport performers, but little is known about how these experiences vary from athlete to athlete. The purpose of this study was to examine if the frequency, intensity, and duration of the organizational stressors that sport performers encounter vary as a function of gender, sport type, and performance level. Participants (n = 1277) completed the Organizational Stressor Indicator for Sport Performers (OSI-SP; Arnold et al., 2013), and the resultant data were analyzed using multivariate analyses of covariance. The findings show that demographic differences are apparent in the dimensions of the goals and development, logistics and operations, team and culture, coaching, and selection organizational stressors that sport performers encounter. More specifically, significant differences were found between males and females, between team and individual-based performers, and between performers competing at national or international, regional or university, and county or club levels. These findings have important implications for theory and research on organizational stress, and for the development of stress management interventions with sport performers.

Cross‐cultural validity and measurement invariance of the Organizational Stressor Indicator for Sport Performers (OSI‐SP) across three countries

“…In view of Arnold et al. 's () finding that organizational stressors can vary by demographic differences, it will be important for future research in this area to examine the validity of the OSI‐SP with older Chinese sport performers, and consider the impact of early athletic specialization in cultures such as China (cf. Wei et al., ) on the organizational stress experience.…”

“…It is evident from the research synthesis of studies on this phenomenon (Arnold & Fletcher, ) that organizational stressors are a universal phenomenon. Indeed, studies are available in the literature that identify the presence of organizational stressors across different groups of performers (Arnold et al., ) and in American (see, e.g., Gould et al., ), Asian (see, e.g., Sohal et al., ), Australasian (see, e.g., Noblet & Gifford, ), and European (see, e.g., Kristiansen & Roberts, ) cultures. In view of this global existence, it is surprising that no studies to date have examined cross‐cultural differences in organizational stressors encountered.…”

A multistudy examination of organizational stressors, emotional labor, burnout, and turnover in sport organizations

“…To elaborate, recent research indicates that individuals respond to a range of environmental demands (ie, organizational stressors) in a variety of emotional, behavioral, and attitudinal ways 5 that may have diverse consequences for burnout, 8 dissatisfaction, 9 negative emotions, 5 impaired preparation for and performance in major competitions, 10 and substantially affected health and well-being. 11 In keeping with Fletcher et al's 3 definition of organizational stress, much research has sought to identify the types of organizational stressors encountered by individuals in sport 5,[12][13][14] In a synthesis of this research, Arnold and Fletcher 15 developed a taxonomic classification of stressors in sport that included four main categories (viz., leadership and personnel, cultural and team, logistical and environmental, and performance and personal issues). In line with this taxonomy, Arnold et al 16 presented a series of studies describing its development and validation of the organizational stressor indicator for sport performers (OSI-SP).…”

“…In line with this taxonomy, Arnold et al 16 presented a series of studies describing its development and validation of the organizational stressor indicator for sport performers (OSI-SP). More recently, Arnold et al 12 used the OSI-SP to identify demographic differences (ie, gender, competition level, and team or individual sport type) in performers' experiences of organizational stressors, providing a stimulus for future research to examine additional moderating variables in the stress process. In addition to the identification and measurement of organizational stressors in sport, researchers have explored individuals' responses to these demands including, but not limited to, athlete burnout.…”

“…18 Therefore, to better understand why individuals report different outcomes to similar organizational stressors, research might examine the role of potential moderating and mediating variables, including personal and situational characteristics and various cognitive, emotional, and attitudinal phenomena. 3,6,8,12,[24][25][26] Indeed, a growing body of research 1,3,5,[27][28][29][30] has highlighted the importance of emotion regulation (ie, monitoring, evaluating, and modifying emotional reactions) for performance and well-being outcomes in sport organizations. For example, Wagstaff et al 29 noted the importance of regulating one's emotions and aligning them with the expectations and social norms of the organization.…”