Examining the Mental Well-Being of Australian Sport Coaches
Open accessAbstract
Background: Research has highlighted the multitude of factors that are negatively associated with coach mental well-being but has failed to investigate how the determinants of mental well-being can affect the coach both positively and negatively. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate levels of mental well-being among sport coaches and assess whether areas of work life—specifically workload and control—are related to levels of mental well-being. Method: An online survey comprising demographic and coaching experience details, the Areas of Work Life Scale (AWS), and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale was completed by 464 Australian coaches involved in a range of sports. Differences in coach mental well-being according to key demographic and coaching-related subgroups were assessed using separate t-test and ANOVA analyses and the magnitude of effects was determined using Cohen’s d and the eta-squared (ή2) statistics. Multiple linear regression was used to examine relationships between both workload and control and mental well-being after controlling for age, gender, coaching setting and weekly coaching activity. Results: The findings indicate poorer mental well-being among both male and younger coaches and indicate that coach mental well-being is related to the ability to self-manage the workload associated with their role as a coach as well as greater autonomy over coaching-related tasks and activities. Specifically, a one-unit increase in AWS workload and AWS control were associated with ~three- and ~four-unit increases in coach mental well-being, respectively. Conclusion: Greater provision of resources and education is required to assist coaches to manage their own mental well-being, while being supported by the organisation they coach for. Enabling coaches to balance their coaching requirements and to have control over their environment will improve their ability to constantly coach at a high standard.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Elite-level coaches from Australia reported high levels of mental wellbeing on the WEMWBS.
“Carson et al. for instance [92] found that elite-level coaches from Australia reported high levels of mental wellbeing on the WEMWBS.”
From The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [92]
The Results report a mean WEMWBS score of 50.9 and describe generally high well-being among the Australian coaches sampled. But most coached at the community level; although the Discussion reports no well-being difference between community and high-performance coaches, the cited finding is not specifically about elite-level coaches. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Job Demands, Job Decision Latitude, and Mental Strain: Implications for Job Redesign
Karasek, R. A. (1979) · Administrative Science Quarterly · doi:10.2307/2392498 · Cited by 12,597 · cited 1× · see citing works
“This has been a focal point of organisational psychology for a number of decades, with the Job Demands—Control Model [58] central to this.”
BackgroundBundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz
(2013) · Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz · doi:10.1007/103.1437-1588 · Cited by 11,769 · see citing works
The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validation
Tennant, R., Hiller, L., Fishwick, R., Platt, S., Joseph, S., Weich, S., Parkinson, J., Secker, J., & Stewart-Brown, S. (2007) · Health and Quality of Life Outcomes · doi:10.1186/1477-7525-5-63 · Cited by 5,031 · cited 12× · see citing works
“Mean mental well-being scores as measured by the WEMWBS for male coaches are 50.6 and 51.9 for female coaches, which compares favourably to the general Australian population (48.1) as measured by the Australian Psychological Society [10] national survey.”
MethodInfluential(1994) · Cited by 3,556 · see citing works
Psychological Well-Being Revisited: Advances in the Science and Practice of Eudaimonia
Ryff, C. D. (2014) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000353263 · Cited by 2,976 · cited 2× · see citing works
“, an ability to achieve personal goals) as individuals age, particularly the use of more adaptive coping strategies [18].”
BackgroundCulture and Subjective Well-Being
Tov, W., & Diener, E. (2009) · Social indicators research series · doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2352-0_2 · Cited by 1,291 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In brief, these include personality, financial stability, employment type [13], cognitive and emotional demands [14], opportunity to develop, and positive social relationships [15].”
BackgroundUnemployment Alters the Set Point for Life Satisfaction
Lucas, R. E., Clark, A. E., Georgellis, Y., & Diener, E. (2004) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.0963-7214.2004.01501002.x · Cited by 1,260 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In brief, these include personality, financial stability, employment type [13], cognitive and emotional demands [14], opportunity to develop, and positive social relationships [15].”
BackgroundOrganizational Psychology : A Scientist-Practitioner Approach
Jex, S. M., & Britt, T. W. (2008) · Cited by 603 · see citing works
Health effects of employment: a systematic review of prospective studies
van der Noordt, M., IJzelenberg, H., Droomers, M., & Proper, K. I. (2014) · Occupational and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1136/oemed-2013-101891 · Cited by 539 · see citing works
Burnout in Sport: A Systematic Review
Goodger, K., Gorely, T., Lavallee, D. E., & Harwood, C. (2007) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.21.2.127 · Cited by 444 · see citing works
Kidger, J., Brockman, R., Tilling, K., Campbell, R., Ford, T., Araya, R., King, M., & Gunnell, D. (2016) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.11.054 · Cited by 330 · see citing works
Arnold, R., & Fletcher, D. (2012) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.34.3.397 · Cited by 318 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Arnold and Fletcher’s [20] research synthesis found 640 distinct stressors in the sport workplace, with organisational leadership and culture issues of prime importance.”
BackgroundThe Development of Psychological Well-Being Among First-Year College Students
Bowman, N. A. (2010) · Journal of college student development · doi:10.1353/csd.0.0118 · Cited by 293 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Levels of mental well-being change over time, with autonomy and competence increasing with age [19].”
BackgroundPsychological stress in sports coaches: A review of concepts, research, and practice
Fletcher, D., & Scott, M. (2010) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640410903406208 · Cited by 285 · cited 3× · see citing works
“This contradicts Fletcher and Scott’s [42] proposition that coaches at higher levels are more susceptible to lower levels of mental well-being due to the increased number of stressors they experience.”
BackgroundStebbings, J., Taylor, I. M., Spray, C. M., & Ntoumanis, N. (2012) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.34.4.481 · Cited by 217 · cited 1× · see citing works
“, above 59 on the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS)) are associated with more happiness, subjective vitality and positivity [3], while lower levels (i.”
BackgroundLee, Y. H., & Chelladurai, P. (2017) · European Sport Management Quarterly · doi:10.1080/16184742.2017.1406971 · Cited by 207 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Having meaningful employment increases mental well-being [16], with job satisfaction associated with reduced potential for burnout [17].”
BackgroundStress in Elite Sports Coaching: Identifying Stressors
Olusoga, P., Butt, J., Hays, K., & Maynard, I. (2009) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200903222921 · Cited by 206 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Job role and control of support staff [27] and conflict with employers [28] are significant stressors for coaches.”
BackgroundStressors, coping, and well-being among sports coaches: A systematic review
Norris, L. A., Didymus, F. F., & Kaiseler, M. (2017) · Psychology of Sport and Exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.08.005 · Cited by 190 · cited 1× · see citing works
“, athlete performance, expectations, external scrutiny) related to their daily coaching activity [1].”
BackgroundJex, S. M., & Britt, T. W. (2014) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781394259434 · Cited by 180 · see citing works
College Coaches’ Experiences with Stress—“Problem Solvers” Have Problems, Too
Frey, M. (2007) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.21.1.38 · Cited by 177 · cited 1× · see citing works
“A lack of control and having too many responsibilities are known stressors for coaches [57].”
BackgroundWells, J. E., & Peachey, J. W. (2011) · Team Performance Management · doi:10.1108/13527591111114693 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
Dewe, P. J., O’Driscoll, M. P., & Cooper, C. L. (2010) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9780470711712 · Cited by 140 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Organisational psychology encourages monitoring of workplace stressors and providing employees the resources to cope and flourish [5].”
BackgroundInfluentialPsychosoziale Belastungen und Erkrankungsrisiken im Erwerbsleben
Siegrist, J., & Dragano, N. (2008) · Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz · doi:10.1007/s00103-008-0461-5 · Cited by 138 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Organisational psychology literature has identified that having a limited ability to influence decisions and a lack of organisational support can have a negative impact on physical and mental well-being [53].”
BackgroundCoping with Work Stress: A Review and Critique
Dewe, P. J., O’Driscoll, M. P., & Cooper, C. L. (2010) · Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale
Stewart-Brown, S., Tennant, A., Tennant, R., Platt, S., Parkinson, J., & Weich, S. (2021) · PsycTESTS Dataset · doi:10.1037/t80221-000 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Self-Regulation and Recovery: Approaching an Understanding of the Process of Recovery from Stress
Beckmann, J., & Kellmann, M. (2004) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.95.3f.1135-1153 · Cited by 107 · cited 1× · see citing works
“There has been growing support for targeting the development of self-regulation as an effective means of managing stress [40], encouraging coaches to control their thinking, emotions and reactions.”
BackgroundStebbings, J., Taylor, I. M., & Spray, C. M. (2011) · Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1123/jsep.33.2.255 · Cited by 102 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For sports coaches, autonomy in the role is a predictor of mental well-being [54], with a lack of control negatively influencing mental well-being [30].”
BackgroundAn interpretative phenomenological analysis of burnout and recovery in elite soccer coaches
Lundkvist, E., Gustafsson, H., Hjälm, S., & Hassmén, P. (2012) · Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2012.693526 · Cited by 101 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Coaches with less ability to manage workload are more susceptible to poorer mental well-being [23], while coaching in an autonomy-supportive environment can improve mental well-being [24].”
BackgroundBentzen, M., Lemyre, P.-N., & Kenttä, G. (2016) · Psychology of Sport and Exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.06.004 · Cited by 93 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Less control is also linked with emotional exhaustion [55] and decreased engagement [42].”
BackgroundSmith, O. R. F., Alves, D. E., Knapstad, M., Haug, E., & Aarø, L. E. (2017) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1343-x · Cited by 93 · cited 1× · see citing works
“89) [36] and is an appropriate tool to measure mental health and wellbeing across a range of populations [38].”
MethodWagstaff, C. R. D., Fletcher, D., & Hanton, S. (2011) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.589423 · Cited by 92 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Coaching literature has noted the multitude of stressors coaches can encounter in the sport workplace and being able to manage these is crucial for both mental well-being and performance [43].”
BackgroundNorman, L., & Rankin-Wright, A. (2018) · International Review for the Sociology of Sport · doi:10.1177/1012690216660283 · Cited by 87 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Older women in coaching also tend to feel undervalued and less supported by their organisation [29].”
BackgroundMindfulness Training for Coaches: A Mixed-Method Exploratory Study
Longshore, K., & Sachs, M. (2015) · Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology · doi:10.1123/jcsp.2014-0038 · Cited by 86 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The use of mindfulness techniques has also been recommended for coaches [61].”
MethodIce Hockey Coaches’ Perceptions of Athlete Leadership
Bucci, J. J., Bloom, G. A., Loughead, T. M., & Caron, J. G. (2012) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2011.636416 · Cited by 77 · cited 1× · see citing works
“While some previous research [26,44] suggests women in coaching roles experienced higher levels of stressors in the workplace, Durand-Bush et al.”
ResultBrough, P. A., Drummond, S., & Biggs, A. (2017) · Journal of Occupational Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/ocp0000074 · Cited by 67 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In brief, these include personality, financial stability, employment type [13], cognitive and emotional demands [14], opportunity to develop, and positive social relationships [15].”
BackgroundAreas of worklife as predictors of occupational health – A validation study in two German samples
Brom, S. S., Buruck, G., Horváth, I., Richter, P., & Leiter, M. P. (2015) · Burnout Research · doi:10.1016/j.burn.2015.05.001 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
(2014) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203767566 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Areas of Worklife and the Athlete Burnout-Engagement Relationship
DeFreese, J. D., & Smith, A. L. (2013) · Journal of Applied Sport Psychology · doi:10.1080/10413200.2012.705414 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Kilo, R. A., & Hassmén, P. (2016) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1177/1747954116636710 · Cited by 60 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Kilo and Hassmén’s [26] study of Australian sport coaches recognised negative effects on mental well-being as a result of spending more hours per week coaching and having a higher perceived workload.”
BackgroundResultInfluentialDeveloping female coaches: strategies from women themselves
Norman, L. (2012) · Asia-Pacific Journal of Health Sport and Physical Education · doi:10.1080/18377122.2012.721725 · Cited by 57 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Norman [45] advocated for the education of female coaches to understand the context of coaching challenges and better prepare them for the workplace.”
BackgroundExperiences of occupational stress and social support in Australian Football League senior coaches
Knights, S., & Ruddock-Hudson, M. (2016) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1177/1747954116636711 · Cited by 53 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Likewise coach mental well-being can be affected by work–life balance discrepancies [49].”
BackgroundBentzen, M., Lemyre, P. N., & Kenttä, G. (2017) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2016-0045 · Cited by 50 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Lower levels of control will decrease mental well-being [32].”
BackgroundPersonal and situational factors influencing coaches’ perceptions ofstress
Knight, C. J., Reade, I. L., Selzler, A., & Rodgers, W. M. (2013) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2012.759659 · Cited by 43 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Organisational support and an ability to exercise professional autonomy will be beneficial to improving the mental well-being of coaches [56].”
BackgroundAre German Coaches Highly Exhausted? A Study of Differences in Personal and Environmental Factors
Altfeld, S., & Kellmann, M. (2015) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1260/1747-9541.10.4.637 · Cited by 42 · cited 2× · see citing works
“difficulty in managing mental well-being [8].”
BackgroundRecovery–stress imbalance in Australian Football League coaches: A pilot longitudinal study
Kellmann, M., Altfeld, S., & Mallett, C. J. (2015) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2015.1020662 · Cited by 41 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Kellmann, Altfeld and Mallett [48] highlighted the importance of the stress–recovery balance for coaches, particularly at a high-performance level.”
BackgroundUnderstanding coach burnout and underlying emotions: a narrative approach
McNeill, K., Durand‐Bush, N., & Lemyre, P. (2016) · Sports Coaching Review · doi:10.1080/21640629.2016.1163008 · Cited by 39 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Recent research challenges this notion, with no differences in mental well-being reported by coaches from different performance levels [25] indicating that community-level coaches just experience different stressors (i.”
BackgroundA Day in the Life of a Happy Worker
Bakker, A. B., & Daniels, K. (2012) · Psychology Press eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203078990 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Burnout among Judo Coaches in Turkey
Gencay, S., & Gencay, O. A. (2011) · Journal of Occupational Health · doi:10.1539/joh.10-0064-fs · Cited by 35 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Older coaches are better able to self-regulate against stressors than younger coaches [22].”
BackgroundResultSELF-REGULATION AND RECOVERY: APPROACHING AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY FROM STRESS
Beckmann, J. (2004) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.95.7.1135-1153 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Tucker, M. K., Jimmieson, N. L., & Oei, T. P. S. (2013) · Work & Stress · doi:10.1080/02678373.2013.772356 · Cited by 29 · cited 1× · see citing works
“workplace control were able to better self-regulate against increased workloads, resulting in higher levels of satisfaction and lower anxiety [59].”
BackgroundProfessional Advances in Sports Coaching
Thelwell, R., & Dicks, M. (2018) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781351210980 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
GPs’ mental wellbeing and psychological resources: a cross-sectional survey
Murray, M., Cardwell, C. R., & Donnelly, M. (2017) · British Journal of General Practice · doi:10.3399/bjgp17x691709 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Organizational stress in professional soccer coaches.
Rhind, D. J. A., Scott, M., & Fletcher, D. (2013) · International journal of sport psychology · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Solstad, B. E., Ivarsson, A., Haug, E., & Ommundsen, Y. (2018) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2017-0026 · Cited by 22 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Coaches with less ability to manage workload are more susceptible to poorer mental well-being [23], while coaching in an autonomy-supportive environment can improve mental well-being [24].”
BackgroundStress appraisals of UK soccer academy coaches: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Dixon, M., & Turner, M. J. (2018) · Qualitative Research in Sport Exercise and Health · doi:10.1080/2159676x.2018.1464055 · Cited by 19 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Having a greater understanding of the aspects associated with coaching may assist coaches to better manage these and their own mental well-being [60].”
BackgroundCoaching Stressors in a Division II Historically Black University
Robbins, J. E., Gilbert, J. N., & Clifton, A. M. (2015) · Journal of Intercollegiate Sport · doi:10.1123/jis.2014-0105 · Cited by 17 · cited 1× · see citing works
“The level of control a coach has over her/his workplace is an important correlate of mental well-being [31].”
BackgroundThe Psychology of Sports Coaching
McCarthy, P. I. 0.-0.-4.-8., & Giges, B. (2016) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315689210 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Psychological support for sport coaches: an exploration of practitioner psychologist perspectives
Kelly, S. W., Thelwell, R., Barker, J. B., & Harwood, C. (2018) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2018.1423854 · Cited by 17 · cited 3× · see citing works
“For sports coaches, autonomy in the role is a predictor of mental well-being [54], with a lack of control negatively influencing mental well-being [30].”
BackgroundPromoting and protecting coach psychological well-being and performance
Didymus, F. F., Rumbold, J. L., & Staff, H. R. (2018) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781351210980-17 · Cited by 11 · cited 3× · see citing works
“Didymus, Rumbold and Staff [50] advocated for organisations to “ensure that the performance climate created by leaders provides coaches with the resources and entrustability (i.e., trusting coaches to perform their role with minimal supervision or micromanagement) to thrive under pressure” (p. 265).”
BackgroundInfluentialHorton, P. (2014) · doi:10.4324/9780203767566-14 · Cited by 6 · cited 1× · see citing works
“, local/community sporting competitions), coaches often have a variety of roles and responsibilities including youth engagement, dealing with parents, organisational fundraising, and multiple administrative duties [6].”
BackgroundWell-being in sport organizations
Neil, R., McFarlane, H., & Smith, A. P. (2016) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9781315666532-16 · Cited by 5 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Employers of coaches should target interventions for improving mental well-being [63], providing training to better assist the management of workplace factors [9].”
Background
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [7]Rynne S.B. Mallett C.J. Rabjohns M.W. High performance coaching: Demands and development The Psychology of Coaching: A Contemporary Review Thelwell R. Harwood C. Greenlees I. Routledge London, UK 2017 114 127
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Bautista, T. G., Roman, G., Khan, M., Lee, M. S., Sahbaz, S., Duthely, L. M., Knippenberg, A., Burgos, M. A. M., Davidson, A., Scaramutti, C., et al. (2023) · Journal of Clinical and Translational Science · doi:10.1017/cts.2023.648 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Sports Medicine - Open · doi:10.1186/s40798-023-00655-8 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
“…88], Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS, multiple versions; n = 3) [89–91], Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS; n = 2) [83, 92], Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS; n = 2) [87, 88], Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES; n = 2) [90, 93], Recovery-Stress-Questionnaire (RESTQ,…”
BackgroundExploring Mental Health and Illness in the UK Sports Coaching Workforce
Smith, A., Haycock, D., Jones, J., Greenough, K., Wilcock, R., & Braid, I. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17249332 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
“The kind and quality of coaches’ workplace relations, an ability to achieve a healthy work–life balance and high levels of workplace control [5,9,26], the effective management of boundaries between work and other aspects of life [26,36], and the avoidance of role ambiguity and having too many responsibilities are thus…”
BackgroundResultInfluentialA Longitudinal Examination of Stress and Mental Ill-/Well-Being in Elite Football Coaches
Baldock, L., Cropley, B., Mellalieu, S. D., & Neil, R. (2022) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.2021-0184 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Examining Negative Emotional Symptoms and Psychological Wellbeing of Australian Sport Officials
Carson, F., Dynon, N., Santoro, J., & Kremer, P. J. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17218265 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“PWB scores, as measured by the WEMWBS, were similar to the general population [44] and Australian sport coaches [36], indicating that although negative emotional symptoms may be high, these officials have levels of PWB similar to the population average.”
BackgroundMethodResultSelf-citationKenttä, G., Dieffenbach, K., Bentzen, M., Thompson, M., Côté, J., Mallett, C. J., & Olusoga, P. (2023) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2022-0123 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Impacts of Workload on Teachers’ Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review
Wahab, N. Y. A., Rahman, R. B. A., Mahat, H., Hudin, N. S., Ramdan, M. R., Razak, M. N. A., & Yadi, N. N. M. (2024) · TEM Journal · doi:10.18421/tem133-80 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The Importance of Positive Relationships for Coaches’ Effectiveness and Well-Being
Davis, L., Jowett, S., & Sörman, D. E. (2022) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2021-0065 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
The Recovery Umbrella in the World of Elite Sport: Do Not Forget the Coaching and Performance Staff
Calleja-González, J., Bird, S. P., Huyghe, T., Jukić, I., Cuzzolin, F., Cos, F., Marqués-Jiménez, D., Milanović, L., Sampaio, J. E., López‐Laval, I., et al. (2021) · Sports · doi:10.3390/sports9120169 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“, athlete performance, expectations, external scrutiny), that often result in recovery–stress imbalance [44,45].”
BackgroundPosition paper: sports psychiatric care provision in competitive sports
Claussen, M., Hofmann, C. G., Schneeberger, A. R., Seifritz, E., Schorb, A., Allroggen, M., Freyer, T., Helmig, F., Niebauer, J., Hefert, J., et al. (2021) · German Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.5960/dzsm.2021.503 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Work Demands, Responses, and Coping Strategies for Staff in High-Performance Sport: A Scoping Review
Mercer, R. A. J., Russell, J. L., Strack, D. S., Coutts, A. J., & McLean, B. D. (2025) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-025-02324-0 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
The Experiences of High-Performance Female Coaches in Luxembourg
Poos, L., & Carson, F. (2022) · Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal · doi:10.1123/wspaj.2021-0061 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citationSports Coaching in an Online Space: What Can We Learn From Endurance Sport Coaches?
Blanchfield, J., McArdle, J., & Haughey, T. J. (2023) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2022-0068 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Leprince, C., Maurin, M., & Carling, C. (2024) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-024-02044-x · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“These include support focused on the quality of professional relationships [22], work–life balance [22, 25], avoidance of ambiguity in roles [22], resilience [7], the ability to self-manage one’s workload [26], and autonomy in tasks [26, 27].”
BackgroundCropley, B., Baldock, L., Hanton, S., Gucciardi, D. F., McKay, A. B., Neil, R., & Williams, T. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01823 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The Effect of Remote Work on Family and Work Dynamics Within the Sport Industry
Huml, M. R., Taylor, E., & Martin, E. (2023) · Journal of Sport Management · doi:10.1123/jsm.2022-0082 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Bailey, R. G., & Turner, M. (2023) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.2023-0009 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Upenieks, L., Ryan, B. M., & Carson, H. J. (2023) · Frontiers in Sports and Active Living · doi:10.3389/fspor.2023.1286965 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Nguyễn, H. M. T., Ɖỗ, T. H. T., & Nguyễn, N. Q. (2022) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2022.918599 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Although research has significantly contributed to the literature on faculty stress, burnout insights, and effects on physical education and sports training (Kania et al., 2009; Barrett et al., 2016; Carson et al., 2019), few have investigated burnout in online and blended physical education instruction and sports tra…”
BackgroundHuang, R., Wang, X. Q., Yang, B. X., Liu, Z., CHEN, W. C., Jiao, S. F., & Chen, J. (2021) · Perspectives In Psychiatric Care · doi:10.1111/ppc.12779 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Hertting, K., Grahn, K., & Wagnsson, S. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19148249 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“[13], essential for coaches’ well-being.”
BackgroundKegelaers, J. J., Spolverato, L., Praet, L., Brandt, K. D., & Wylleman, P. (2023) · International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology · doi:10.1080/1612197x.2023.2295510 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Moreover, the authors suggest experience could earn the coaches the trust of the organisations they work for, resulting in a feeling of control, which was linked with higher levels of mental wellbeing reported by the participants (Carson et al., 2019).”
Psychological well-being in performance coaches: a theoretical perspective
Tait, J. L., Kremer, P. J., Carson, F., Walsh, J., & Main, L. C. (2020) · Journal of Physical Education and Sport · doi:10.7752/jpes.2020.s5391 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationCoaching athletes with an intellectual disability at a national championship tournament
Carson, F., & Walsh, J. (2023) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1177/17479541231174093 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“An inability to manage coaching workload and a lack of control to influence the environment are significant stressors for coaches.(22) A lack of social support for the HP coach can further exasperate these stressors,(23) particularly for coaches less experienced at HP level.”
BackgroundSelf-citationIdentifying Predictors of Burnout and Health of Certified Mental Performance Consultants
Magdaleno, A., & Meyer, B. B. (2023) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.2023-0047 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
The Emergence of the Pandemic: High-Performance Coach and Athlete Experiences
Dehghansai, N., Mazhar, A., Pinder, R. A., Baker, J. R., & Renshaw, I. (2022) · Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly · doi:10.1123/apaq.2022-0021 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Exploring the Daily Hassles of Neophyte Cycling Coaches
Wood, S., Richardson, D. J., Roberts, S. J., & Fletcher, D. (2023) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2023-0013 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Balancing act: how family identity orientation impacts careers of NCAA women coaches
Boiarintseva, G., & Grabarski, M. K. (2024) · Career Development International · doi:10.1108/cdi-06-2024-0291 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Stensland, P. J., Huml, M. R., & Sanders, G. J. (2025) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.2024-0051 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Pinheiro, G. D. S., de Mello, M. T., dos Santos, F. G., Fiorese, L., & da Costa, V. T. (2021) · Retos · doi:10.47197/retos.v0i41.84146 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Coaches have to cope with several adverse circumstances, such as inconvenient working hours, traveling, temporary contracts, job insecurity, role conflicts and athlete performance (Bentzen et al., 2020; Chroni et al. 2019; Carson et al., 2019).”
BackgroundInfluentialMachado, E. D. M., Secchi, L. L. B., Camargo, P. R., & Mendonça, L. D. M. (2023) · Global Health Journal · doi:10.1016/j.glohj.2023.01.001 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Caracterização de treinadores de ciclismo da modalidade cross-country
Cândido, L. J. S., Caldas, L. R. D. R., Leite, L. B., de Rezende, L. M. T., Pussieldi, G. D. A., Júnior, R. L. P., & de Sousa, J. F. G. (2021) · Research Society and Development · doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i16.22383
Kirk, T. N., McKay, C., & Holland, K. (2024) · International Sport Coaching Journal · doi:10.1123/iscj.2024-0053
Uzzell, K. S., Knight, C. J., Pankow, K., & Hill, D. M. (2025) · The Sport Psychologist · doi:10.1123/tsp.2023-0142
Menteş, G., & Saygın, Ö. (2025) · The Online Journal of Recreation and Sport · doi:10.22282/tojras.1618908
MENTAL HEALTH AND DISORDERS IN ELITE SPORTS COACHES
Colagrai, A. C., Augusto, J. B., & Fernandes, P. T. (2025) · Corpoconsciência · doi:10.51283/rc.29.e18644
de Oliveira, J. G. M., da Silva, G. C. P. S. M., Barcelos, G., & da Gama, D. R. N. (2025) · Cuadernos de Educación y Desarrollo · doi:10.55905/cuadv17n12-038
Additional file 2 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.25203736
Additional file 4 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26679632
Additional file 6 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26679638
Additional file 1 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.25203625
Additional file 3 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26679629
Additional file 5 of The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review
Frost, J., Walton, C. C., Purcell, R., Fisher, K., Gwyther, K., Kocherginsky, M., & Rice, S. M. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26679635
de Moraes, R. G. S., da Costa, G. T. V., & Noce, F. (2025) · Conexões · doi:10.20396/conex.v23i00.8680336
张端华, Zhang, S., & Xu, J. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1929444
“Previous research has also shown that coaches’ ability to manage workload and their perceived control over work are closely related to psychological wellbeing, with lower levels of job autonomy and perceived control being associated with poorer psychological states (Carson et al., 2019).”
Spolverato, L., Devoto-Araya, M., Wylleman, P., Brandt, K. D., Bertran-Gracia, L., Jordana, A., Kenttä, G., Papathomas, A., Ruffault, A., Blijlevens, S., et al. (2026) · International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching · doi:10.1177/17479541261499703
- Authors
- Carson, F., Malakellis, M., Walsh, J., Main, L. C., & Kremer, P.
- Affiliations
- Deakin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Carson, Fraser
- Venue
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Published
- 2019-11-20
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 23
- Pages
- 4601
- ISSN
- 1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6926512
- OpenAlex
- W2989674273
- Cited by
- 47
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4
- FWCI
- 6.81
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- dx.doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Centre for Sport Research, Deakin University (202102-F002)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Workplace Health and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Stress and Burnout Research
- Keywords
- sports coaches, workload, perceived control, work life, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, coach gender, coach age, coach support
- MeSH terms
- Mentoring, Occupational Stress, Adult, Australia, Female, Health Status, Health Status Indicators, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Middle Aged, Sports, Workload, Professional Autonomy
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
