Stressors, coping, and well-being among sports coaches: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives: Sports coaching can be an inherently stressful occupation because coaches must fulfill multiple roles and cope with various expectations. Further, stress and well-being have implications for coach performance. The objective of this study was, therefore, to conduct a systematic review of literature on stressors, coping, and well-being among sports coaches. Design: A systematic review using PRIMSA guidelines. Method: Thorough and systematic literature searches of PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were conducted. To be eligible for inclusion, papers had to be published in the English language between January 1994 and March 2016 and as full papers in peer-reviewed journals. Results: The final sample consisted of 38 studies that were conducted with 4,188 sports coaches. This sample consisted of 19 qualitative, 17 quantitative, and two mixed methods studies. The findings demonstrate that coaches experience a variety of stressors relating to their performance and that of the athletes they work with in addition to organizational, contextual, interpersonal, and intrapersonal stressors. The findings also highlight that coaches use a variety of coping strategies (e.g., problem solving, social support, escaping the stressful environment) to reduce the negative outcomes of stress. Five studies that were included in this review focused on coaches' well-being and found that basic psychological needs satisfaction, lack of basic psychological needs thwarting, and self-determined motivation are needed for coaches to be psychologically well. Conclusion: Future research should address gaps in extant literature by using longitudinal study designs to explore coaches' appraisals of stressors, coping effectiveness, social support, and well-being among the unique sports coaching population.

Elite coaches have a similar prevalence of depressive symptoms to the general population and lower rates than elite athletes

“…Coach roles in elite sport are challenging with multiple functions, expectations and visible outcomes, resulting in many rolespecific stressors. 7 These include a range of personal and situational factors, contractual matters, a lack of job security, long working hours, unclear expectations, frequent travel and lack of social support. [7][8][9] Existing research has focused on coaches' approaches to stress management, 7 10 and their knowledge and attitudes towards depression among the athletes they coach.…”

“…7 These include a range of personal and situational factors, contractual matters, a lack of job security, long working hours, unclear expectations, frequent travel and lack of social support. [7][8][9] Existing research has focused on coaches' approaches to stress management, 7 10 and their knowledge and attitudes towards depression among the athletes they coach. 11 The prevalence of What are the new findings ► The prevalence of depressive symptoms in elite coaches in New Zealand is 14%.…”

Managing The Occupational Stress In Early Coaches’ Career

“…At the same time, various studies quoted by Norris, Didymus and Kaiseler (2017) have highlighted that the well-being of coaches contributes to the creation of a positive educational and training environment, with direct benefits for athletes and their efficiency in competitions.…”

“…There is also the issue of strategies that coaches apply for the purpose of self-regulating reactions to stress so that the efficiency of their work and their overall health are not affected. From the perspective of stress management, we noted the tendency of coaches to cope by predominantly using problem-focused strategies (Norris et al, 2017).…”

“…Rhind, Scott and Fletcher (2013) performed an analysis of stressors in the work of professional soccer coaches and identified 8 major themes related to the identified stressors: job role; players; manager; support staff; training environment; away matches; governance; soccer culture. The combined action of several stressors is the main risk factor for the overwork (burnout) of coaches (Norris et al, 2017).…”