Prevalent Stressors Found Among Collegiate and Elite Coaches

Abstract

Recent studies have explored the stress that individuals experience in the coaching profession. Stress can have negative effects on an individual physically, mentally, and emotionally. The impact that stress has on a coach can directly influence the anxiety and performance of their athletes. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize stressors found in the literature. The prevalence of these stressors was then used to recommend coping techniques to help coaches reduce the impact that coaches experience. A total of 10 studies were analyzed for this synthesis. Results found seven prevalent stressors. The seven prevalent stressors found in the literature were performance, resources, many roles and responsibilities, athletes, assistant coaches, and self-imposed demands. Based on the stressors identified, four different types of coping techniques were recommended for coaches to use. The recommended coping techniques for these stressors were mindfulness training, self-talk, goal setting, and dyadic coping.