The process of burnout among professional sport coaches through the lens of self-determination theory: a qualitative approach
Abstract
Using a qualitative retrospective approach, this paper investigates how some work-related demands led to burnout among four professional coaches. Self-determination theory (SDT) offered a sound theoretical framework to better understand the motivational process leading to serious negative outcomes (Ryan & Deci, 2002). Findings indicated that all coaches experienced working in a maladaptive environment, exemplified by experiencing very heavy workloads, a lack of leader support, and work-related conflicts. These experiences had a detrimental effect on the coaches' motivation. Psychological need thwarting and a shift towards a more controlled form of motivation explained why coaches became increasingly at risk for burning out, a process that evolved over time. All four coaches experienced a wide range of burnout symptoms. Findings from this study highlight the importance for sports organizations to better cater for the psychological needs of professional coaches to prevent burnout.
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Among 'highly exhausted' coaches at risk of burnout, a coach's perception of their sports organisation and everyday work environment was associated with the onset of burnout.
“Another cross-sectional study carried out with ‘highly exhausted’ coaches at risk of burnout [97], found that a coach’s perception of their sports organisation (e.g. poor relations with upper management and leaders) and their everyday work environment (e.g. high workload and athlete win or loss records) was associated with the onset of burnout.”
From The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [97]
Sleep disturbances were associated with symptoms of burnout.
“Findings also revealed that sleep disturbances were associated with symptoms of burnout [45, 97, 100]”
From The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [97]
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Coach Burnout: A Scoping Review
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Self-citationThe Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
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“Another cross-sectional study carried out with ‘highly exhausted’ coaches at risk of burnout [97], found that a coach’s perception of their sports organisation (e.g. poor relations with upper management and leaders) and their everyday work environment (e.g. high workload and athlete win or loss…”
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Mental Health of Elite Sport Coaches and Entourage
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- Authors
- Bentzen, M., Lemyre, P.-N., & Kenttä, G.
- Affiliations
- Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (NO)
- Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Bentzen, Marte
- Venue
- Sports Coaching Review
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2014-07-03
- Volume
- 3
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 101-116
- ISSN
- 2164-0629 (ISSN-L)
- 2164-0637
- OpenAlex
- W1893039374
- Cited by
- 57
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2
- FWCI
- 3.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Sports Coaching Review (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- burnout, self-determination theory, intrinsic motivation, controlled motivation, coach workload, leader support, work-related conflict, burnout prevention, sports organizations
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