Challenges Experienced by Women High-Performance Coaches: Sustainability in the Profession

in International Sport Coaching Journal

Click name to view affiliation

Göran Kenttä The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences
University of Ottawa

Search for other papers by Göran Kenttä in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Marte Bentzen Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Search for other papers by Marte Bentzen in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Kristen Dieffenbach West Virginia University

Search for other papers by Kristen Dieffenbach in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Peter Olusoga Sheffield Hallam University

Search for other papers by Peter Olusoga in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2019-0029
Keywords:
coaching; female; mental health
First Published Online:
02 Apr 2020
In Print:
Volume 7: Issue 2
Page Range:
200–208
Restricted access

High-performance (HP) coaching is a demanding profession. The proportion of woman HP coaches is reported to be in the range of 8.4–20%. Mental health concerns in elite sports have recently gained attention, but mainly focusing on athletes. Beyond coach burnout, limited attention has been given to coaches’ mental health. A recent coach burnout review included only one paper that focused exclusively on women. It has been argued that women HP coaches face greater challenges in a male-dominated coaching culture. The purpose of this study was to explore challenges experienced by women HP coaches and their perceived associations with sustainability and mental health. Thirty-seven female HP coaches participated by answering a semistructured, open-ended questionnaire. All responses were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, which resulted in two general dimensions: challenges of working as women HP coaches and sustainability and well-being as women HP coaches. Overall, results indicate that challenges reported might be common not only for all HP coaches, but also highlight gender-specific elements. Consequently, coach retention and sustainability would benefit from more attention on well-being and mental health among HP coaches.

Kenttä is with The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden and the School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Bentzen is with the Department of Physical Education, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. Dieffenbach is with the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA. Olusoga is with Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom.

Kenttä (goran.kentta@gih.se) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

International Sport Coaching Journal

Cover International Sport Coaching Journal

  • Allen, J.B., & Shaw, S. (2009). Women coaches’ perceptions of their sport organizations’ social environment: Supporting coaches’ psychological needs? The Sport Psychologist, 23(3), 346–366. doi:10.1123/tsp.23.3.346

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bentzen, M., Lemyre, N., & Kenttä, G. (2017). A comparison of high-performance football coaches experiencing high-versus low-burnout symptoms across a season of play: Quality of motivation and recovery matters. International Sport Coaching Journal, 4(2), 133–146. doi:10.1123/iscj.2016-0045

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bentzen, M., Lemyre, P.N., & Kenttä, G. (2016a). Development of exhaustion for high performance coaches in association with workload and motivation: A person-centered approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 22, 10–16. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2015.06.004

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bentzen, M., Lemyre, P.N., & Kenttä, G. (2016b). Changes in motivation and burnout indices in high-performance coaches over the course of a competitive season. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(1), 28–48. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1053160

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Biddle, S.J., Markland, D., Gilbourne, D., Chatzisarantis, N.L., & Sparkes, A.C. (2001). Research methods in sport and exercise psychology: Quantitative and qualitative issues. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19(10), 777–809. PubMed ID: 11561674 doi:10.1080/026404101317015438

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Blickenstaff, J. (2005). Women and science careers: Leaky pipeline or gender filter? Gender and Education, 17(4), 369–386. doi:10.1080/09540250500145072

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bruening, J.E., & Dixon, M.A. (2007). Work-family conflict in coaching II: Managing role conflict. Journal of Sport Management, 21(4), 471–496. doi:10.1123/jsm.21.4.471

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bruening, J.E., Dixon, M.A., Burton, L.J., & Madsen, R.M. (2013). Women in coaching: The work-life interface. In P. Potrac, W. Gilbert, & J. Denison (Eds.), Routledge handbook of sports coaching (pp. 411–423). London & New York: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carson, F., McCormack, C., & Walsh, J. (2018). Women in sport coaching: Challenges, stress and well-being. Journal of Physical Education, Sport, Health and Recreation, 7(2), 63–67.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2013). Teaching thematic analysis: Overcoming challenges and developing strategies for effective learning. The Psychologist, 26(2), 120–123.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cresswell, J.W., & Plano Clark, V.L. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed method research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Didymus, F.F. (2017). Olympic and international level sports coaches’ experiences of stressors, appraisals, and coping. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 9(2), 214–232. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2016.1261364

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dixon, M.A., & Bruening, J.E. (2005). Perspectives on work-family conflict in sport: An integrated approach. Sport Management Review, 8(3), 227–253. doi:10.1016/S1441-3523(05)70040-1

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Drago, R., Hennighausen, L., Rogers, J., Vescio, T., & Stauffer, K.D. (2005). Final report for CAGE: The coaching and gender equity project. Retrieved from https://docplayer.net/18971095-Final-report-for-cage-the-coaching-and-gender-equity-project.html

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dyrdal, G.M., Røysamb, E., Bang Nes, R., & Vittersø, J. (2019). When life happens: Investigating short and long-term effects of life stressors on life satisfaction in a large sample of Norwegian mothers. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20, 1689–1715. doi:10.1007/s10902-018-0024-x

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fasting, K., & Pfister, G. (2000). Female and male coaches in the eyes of female elite soccer players. European Physical Education Review, 6(1), 91–110. doi:10.1177/1356336X000061001

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fasting, K., Sand, T.S., & Knorre, N. (2013). European female sport students as future coaches? European Journal for Sport and Society, 10(4), 307–323.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fasting, K., Sisjord, M.K., & Sand, T.S. (2017). Norwegian elite-level coaches: Who are they? Scandinavian Sport Studies Forum, 8, 29–47.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Henriksen, K., Schinke, R., Moesch, K., McCann, S., Parham, W.D., Larsen, C.H., & Terry, P. (2019). Consensus statement on improving the mental health of high performance athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2019.1570473

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Joncheray, H., Burlot, F., & Julla-Marcy, M. (2019). Is the game lost in advance? Being a high-performance coach and preserving family life. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 14(4), 453–462. doi:10.1177/1747954119860223

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kamphoff, C.S. (2010). Bargaining with patriarchy: Former female coaches’ experiences and their decision to leave collegiate coaching. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(3), 360–372. PubMed ID: 20949856 doi:10.1080/02701367.2010.10599684

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kane, M.J., & LaVoi, N. (2018). An examination of intercollegiate athletic directors’ attributions regarding the underrepresentation of female coaches in women’s sports. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 26(1), 3–11. doi:10.1123/wspaj.2016-0031

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kauer, K.J., & Krane, V. (2006). “Scary dykes” and “feminine queens”: Stereotypes and female collegiate athletes. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 15(1), 42–55. doi:10.1123/wspaj.15.1.42

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kidd, B. (2013). Where are the female coaches? Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching, 13(1), 1–8.

  • Kilty, K. (2006). Women in coaching. Sport Psychologist, 20(2), 222–234. doi:10.1123/tsp.20.2.222

  • Knoppers, A. (1987). Gender and the coaching profession. Quest, 39(1), 9–22. doi:10.1080/00336297.1987.10483853

  • Knoppers, A., Meyer, B.B., Ewing, M., & Forrest, L. (1989). Gender and the salaries of coaches. Sociology of Sport Journal, 6(4), 348–361. doi:10.1123/ssj.6.4.348

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • LaVoi, N.M. (2016a). A framework to understand experiences of woman coaches around the globe. The Ecological-Intersectional model. In N. LaVoi (Ed.), Women in sports coaching (pp. 13–34). London & New York: Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • LaVoi, N.M. (2016b). Concluding thoughts. Creating change for woman coaches. In N. LaVoi (Ed.), Women in sports coaching (pp. 257–260). London & New York: Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • LaVoi, N.M., & Dutove, J.K. (2012). Barriers and supports for female coaches: An ecological model. Sports Coaching Review, 1(1), 17–37. doi:10.1080/21640629.2012.695891

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lewis, C.J., Roberts, S.J., & Andrews, H. (2018). “Why am I putting myself through this?” Women football coaches’ experiences of the Football Association’s coach education process. Sport, Education and Society, 23(1), 28–39. doi:10.1080/13573322.2015.1118030

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mallett, C.J., & Lara-Bercial, S. (2016). Serial winning coaches: People, vision, and environment. In M. Raab, P. Wylleman, R. Seiler, A. Elbe, & A. Hatzigeorgiadis (Eds.), Sport and exercise psychology research: From theory to practice (pp. 289–322). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Marshall, C., & Rossman, G.B. (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Moesch, K., Kenttä, G., Kleinert, J., Quignon-Fleuret, C., Cecil, S., & Bertollo, M. (2018). FEPSAC position statement: Mental health disorders in elite athletes and models of service provision. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38, 61–71.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Norman, L. (2010a). Feeling second best: Elite women coaches’ experiences. Sociology of Sport Journal, 27(1), 89–104. doi:10.1123/ssj.27.1.89

  • Norman, L. (2010b). Bearing the burden of doubt: Female coaches’ experiences of gender relations. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81(4), 506–517.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Olusoga, P., Bentzen, M., & Kenttä, G. (2019). Coach burnout: A scoping review. International Sport Coaching Journal, 1, 1–21.

  • Olusoga, P., & Kenttä, G. (2017). Desperate to quit: A narrative analysis of burnout and recovery in high-performance sports coaching. The Sport Psychologist, 31(3), 237–248. doi:10.1123/tsp.2016-0010

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Olusoga, P., Maynard, I., Hays, K., & Butt, J. (2012). Coaching under pressure: A study of Olympic coaches. Journal of sports sciences, 30(3), 229–239. PubMed ID: 22168369 doi:10.1080/02640414.2011.639384

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

  • Perski, O., Grossi, G., Perski, A., & Niemi, M. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of tertiary interventions in clinical burnout. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 58, 551–561. PubMed ID: 29105127 doi:10.1111/sjop.12398

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pew Research Center. (2018, September). The data on women leaders. Retrieved from http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/fact-sheet/the-data-on-women-leaders/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Purdy, L., & Potrac, P. (2014). Am I just not good enough? The creation, development and questioning of a high performance coaching identity. Sport, Education and Society, 21(5), 778–795. doi:10.1080/13573322.2014.941795

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Reardon, C.L., Hainline, B., Aron, C.M., Baron, D., Baum, A.L., Bindra, A.,… Engebretsen, L. (2019). Mental health in elite athletes: International Olympic Committee consensus statement (2019). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 53, 667–699. PubMed ID: 31097450 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-100715

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Remes, O., Brayne, C., Van Der Linde, R., & Lafortune, L. (2016). A systematic review of reviews on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adult populations. Brain and Behavior, 6(7), Article e00497.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sartore, M.L., & Cunningham, G.B. (2009). The lesbian stigma in the sport context: Implications for women of every sexual orientation. Quest, 61(3), 289–305. doi:10.1080/00336297.2009.10483617

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schinke, R.J., Stambulova, N.B., Si, G., & Moore, Z. (2018). International society of sport psychology position stand: Athletes’ mental health, performance, and development. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 16(6), 622–639. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2017.1295557

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schwartz, S., & Meyer, I.H. (2010). Mental health disparities research: The impact of within and between group analyses on tests of social stress hypotheses. Social Science & Medicine, 70(8), 1111–1118. PubMed ID: 20100631 doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.11.032

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stebbings, J., Taylor, I.M., & Spray, C.M. (2015). The relationship between psychological well- and ill-being, and perceived autonomy supportive and controlling interpersonal styles: A longitudinal study of sport coaches. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 19, 42–49.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stebbings, J., Taylor, I.M., Spray, C.M., & Ntoumanis, N. (2012). Antecedents of perceived coach interpersonal behaviors: The coaching environment and coach psychological well-and ill-being. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 34(4), 481–502. PubMed ID: 22889690 doi:10.1123/jsep.34.4.481

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2010). Sage handbook of mixed methods in social & behavioral research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

  • Van Slingerland, K.J., Durand-Bush, N., Bradley, L., Goldfield, G., Archambault, R., Smith, D., … Kenttä, G. (2019). Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Sport (CCMHS) position statement: Principles of mental health in competitive and high-performance sport. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 29(3), 173–180.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Watt, D. (2007). On becoming a qualitative researcher: The value of reflexivity. The Qualitative Report, 12, 82–102.

  • Women in International Politics. (2018). 2018, woman and political leadership—female heads of state and heads of government. Retrieved from https://firstladies.international/2018/02/20/2018-women-and-political-leadership-female-heads-of-state-and-heads-of-government/

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Young, G. (2016). Women, naturally better leaders for the 21st century. Transpersonal Leadership Series: White Paper Two. London, UK: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 3747 1259 73
Full Text Views 232 78 8
PDF Downloads 244 102 8