International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) 14th Global Coach Conference

Abstract

Researchers have investigated coaching behaviors as predictors of athlete burnout; however, limited research exists on the relationship between athletes' perceptions of coach communication and their burnout. This study explored (a) the direct effects of athletes' perceptions of each coach communication on their sport and social competence; and (b) the indirect effects of athletes' perceptions of each coach communication construct on their burnout. A total of 291 high school athletes (M age = 15.72 years, 75.3% female, 84.2% White; 63.6% playing varsity) completed selfreport measures assessing four coach communication constructs (social support, useful feedback, prosocial power, conformation), sport competence, social competence, and burnout. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was run in Mplus Version 8.1. Results indicated adequate model fit (X 2 = 951.97; p < .001, TLI = .94; CFI = .95; RMSEA = .04 [CI:.039-.048]; SRMR = .06). Coaches' use of social support (β = 0.24; SE = 0.06; p < .001), useful feedback (β = -0.13; SE=0.08; p<.01), and prosocial power (β = -0.09; SE = 0.04; p < .05) significantly predicted athletes' sport competence, which predicted athlete burnout (β = -0.20; SE = 0.05; p < .001). Interestingly, only coaches' use of useful feedback (β = 0.18; SE = 0.06; p < .01) significantly predicted athletes' social competence, which in turn did not predict athlete burnout (β = -0.01; SE = 0.08; p = .877). The model accounted for 66% of the variance in athlete burnout. The indirect effects of athletes' perceptions on each coach communication construct indicated that coaches' use of social support (β = -0.25; SE = 0.06; p <. 001) and prosocial power (β = -0.13; SE = 0.03; p < .001) were significant predictors of athlete burnout. Our findings reinforce the complexity of coach communication and its critical role on athlete burnout.