The Impact of Stress on Sports Coaching: Sources and Coping Strategies in Non-Elite Coaches.
View/ open
Author
Rees, Kelsey
Date
2011Type
Thesis
Publisher
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
If we are to improve coaching and reduce the likelihood of the negative psychological effects of stress then we need a better understanding of the way in which stress is experienced by coaches’. Consequently, the aims of this study were to further the understanding surrounding stress encountered by non-elite coaches, examine how they appraise these stressors, explore the coping strategies that they adopt and how these stressors influence their behaviours. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with six non-elite coaches from the South Wales region, (M age = 41.6; SD = 10.65). The participants coached a range of sports such as rugby, swimming and netball and all coached at local league level or extracurricular activities. The interviews were transcribed and analysed through inductive and deductive measures with trustworthiness embedded throughout the data analysis process. A number of themes emerged from the transcriptions focusing on negative stressors (e.g., parental input and lack of time management), and positive stressors (e.g. excelling in competition and less skilful players finding success). All these findings supported previous research and it became apparent that limited amounts of stress management techniques were applicable to non-elite coaches’. It was evident that no coping strategy was favoured as emotion and problem focused strategies were found to be used equally. Avoidance coping strategies were also frequently used; this is unfavoured for coaches at any level as it can be linked to long term departure from sport as they are unable to cope. This study informed practice as it was specific to non-elite coaches and it was an in depth look into their experiences of their stress. It emerged from the study that stress management techniques need to be available to those coaches who do not have the relevant strategies to limit their stress. The help available to elite athletes and coaches should be applicable to non-elite coaches in an attempt for them to cope with the demands placed upon them and it may also help reduce burnout and withdrawal from their sports.
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, subject and abstract.
-
Sources of stress in the competition environment: comparison of elite and non-elite athletes
Gregory, Simon (University of Wales, 2011)Stress continues to be a prominent and widely discussed factor within the sporting context. It is consistently acknowledged that performers encounter different sources of stress both inside and outside of sport, and the ... -
Examining the prevelance of stressors and their relation to the employment of differing coping mechanisms within cricket coaches: a comparison between eilite and non-elite practitioners
Latham, Sean (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2016-03-10)Attempting to coach cricket at an elite or non-elite level has the potential to be inherently stressful. Consequently, this study explored both elite and non-elite cricket coaches’ encounters with stress, how these perceived ... -
STRESS AS A PROCESS NOT A PRODUCT IN NON-ELITE GOLFERS DURING COMPETITION
Richards, Tobias (Cardiff Metropolitan University, 2013)Informed by Lazarus and Folkmans transactional model of stress and coping (1984) and Lazarus’s cognitive-motivational-relational-theory (1991), the investigation holistically explored the stress process of five non- elite ...