Perspectives on the Future of Burnout in Sport

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

Click name to view affiliation

Daniel J. Madigan York St John University

Search for other papers by Daniel J. Madigan in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Henrik Gustafsson Karlstad University
Norwegian School of Sport Sciences

Search for other papers by Henrik Gustafsson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Andrew P. Hill York St John University

Search for other papers by Andrew P. Hill in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Kathleen T. Mellano Springfield College

Search for other papers by Kathleen T. Mellano in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Christine E. Pacewicz Saginaw Valley State University

Search for other papers by Christine E. Pacewicz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
,
Thomas D. Raedeke East Carolina University

Search for other papers by Thomas D. Raedeke in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
, and
Alan L. Smith Michigan State University

Search for other papers by Alan L. Smith in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
*
Restricted access

The present editorial provides a series of perspectives on the future of burnout in sport. Specifically, for the first time, seven burnout researchers have offered their opinions and suggestions for how, as a field, we can progress our understanding of this important topic. A broad range of ideas are discussed, including the relevance of the social context, the value of theory and collaboration, and the use of public health frameworks in future work. It is hoped that these perspectives will help stimulate debate, reinforce and renew priorities, and guide research in this area over the coming years.

Madigan and Hill are with York St John University, York, United Kingdom. Gustafsson is with Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; and Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Norway. Mellano is with Springfield College, Springfield, MA, USA. Pacewicz is with Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, MI, USA. Raedeke is with East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. Smith is with Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.

Madigan (d.madigan@yorksj.ac.uk) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand
  • Aad, G., Abajyan, T., Abbott, B., Abdallah, J., Khalek, S.A., Abdelalim, A.A., … Bansil, H.S. (2012). Observation of a new particle in the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Physics Letters B, 716(1), 129. doi:10.1016/j.physletb.2012.08.020

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Almén, N., Lisspers, J., Öst, L.-G., & Sundin, Ö. (2020). Behavioral stress recovery management intervention for people with high levels of perceived stress: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Stress Management, 27(2), 183194. doi:10.1037/str0000140

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Benet-Martínez, V., Donnellan, M.B., Fleeson, W., Fraley, R.C., Gosling, D., Ling, L.A., … Funder, D.C. (2015). Six visions for the future of personality psychology. In M.L. Cooper & R.J. Larsen (Eds.), Handbook of personality processes and individual differences. Washington, DC: APA Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Bentzen, M., Lemyre, P.N., & Kenttä, G. (2016). Changes in motivation and burnout indices in high-performance coaches over the course of a competitive season. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(1), 2848. doi:10.1080/10413200.2015.1053160

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Boyer, E.L. (1996). The scholarship of engagement. Journal of Public Service & Outreach, 1(1), 1120.

  • Côté, J. (1999). The influence of the family in the development of talent in sport. The Sport Psychologist, 13(4), 395417. doi:10.1123/tsp.13.4.395

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cresswell, S.L., & Eklund, R.C. (2006a). Changes in athlete burnout over a thirty-week “rugby year.” Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 9(1–2), 125134. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2006.03.017

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cresswell, S.L., & Eklund, R.C. (2006b). The nature of athlete burnout: Key characteristics and attributions. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 18(3), 219239. doi:10.1080/10413200600830299

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Cresswell, S.L., & Eklund, R.C. (2007). Athlete burnout and organizational culture: An English rugby replication. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 38, 365387.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determined human behavior. New York, NY: Plenum Press.

  • DeFreese, J.D., Dorsch, T.E., & Flitton, T.A. (2018). The parent–child relationship and sport parents’ experiences of burnout and engagement. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 12(2), 218233. doi:10.1123/jcsp.2017-0006

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • DeFreese, J.D., Raedeke, T.D., & Smith, A.L. (2021). Athlete burnout: An individual and organizational phenomenon. In J.M. Williams & V. Krane (Eds.), Applied sport psychology: Personal growth to peak performance (8th ed., pp. 475491). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • DeFreese, J.D., & Smith, A.L. (2014). Athlete social support, negative social interactions and psychological health across a competitive sport season. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36(6), 619630. PubMed ID: 25602144 doi:10.1123/jsep.2014-0040

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Dorsch, T.D., Smith, A.L., Blazo, J.A., Coakley, J., Côté, J., Wagstaff, C.R.D., … King, M.Q. (2020). Toward an integrated understanding of the youth sport system. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 1–15. doi:10.1080/02701367.2020.1810847

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Eklund, R., & DeFreese, J.D. (2015). Athlete burnout: What we know, and what we should be finding out about. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 27, 6375.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Eklund, R.C., & DeFreese, J.D. (2020). Athlete burnout. In G. Tenenbaum & R.C. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (pp. 12201240). New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gould, D., & Dieffenbach, K. (2002). Overtraining, under recovery, and burnout in sport. In M. Kellmann (Ed.), Enhancing recovery: Preventing underperformance in athletes (pp. 2535). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gould, D., Tuffey, S., Udry, E., & Loehr, J. (1996). Burnout in competitive junior tennis players: II. Qualitative analysis. The Sport Psychologist, 10(4), 341366. doi:10.1123/tsp.10.4.341

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gustafsson, H., DeFreese, J.D., & Madigan, D.J. (2017). Athlete burnout: Review and recommendations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 109113. PubMed ID: 28813331 doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.05.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gustafsson, H., Hassmén, P., Kenttä, G., & Johansson, M. (2008). A qualitative analysis of burnout in elite Swedish athletes. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 9(6), 800816. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.11.004

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Gustafsson, H., Kenttä, G., Hassmén, P., Lundqvist, C., & Durand-Bush, N. (2007). The process of burnout: A multiple case study of three elite endurance athletes. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 38, 388416.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Hardy, L., Jones, J.G., & Gould, D. (1996). Understanding psychological preparation for sport: Theory and practice of elite performers. John Wiley & Sons Inc.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Holt, N.L., Deal, C.J., & Smyth, C.L. (2016). Future directions for positive youth development through sport. In N.L. Holt (Ed.), Positive youth development through sport (2nd ed., pp. 229240). New York, NY: Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Isoard-Gautheur, S., Guillet-Descas, E., Gaudreau, P., & Chanal, J. (2015). Development of burnout perceptions during adolescence among high-level athletes: A developmental and gendered perspective. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 37(4), 436448. doi:10.1123/jsep.2014-0251

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Kellmann, M., & Beckmann, J. (Eds.). (2018). Sport, recovery, and performance: Interdisciplinary insights. Routledge.

  • Lander, E.S., Linton, L.M., Birren, B., Nusbaum, C., Zody, M.C., Baldwin, J., … Proctor, M.J. (2001). Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome. Nature, 409(6822), 860921. PubMed ID: 11237011 doi:10.1038/35057062

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lemyre, P.N., Treasure, D.C., & Roberts, G.C. (2006). Influence of variability in motivation and affect on elite athlete burnout susceptibility. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 28(1), 3248. doi:10.1123/jsep.28.1.32

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Lindsäter E, Axelsson E, Salomonsson S, Santoft F, Ejeby K, Ljotsson B, … Hedman-Lagerlöf E. (2018). Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic stress: A randomized controlled trial. Psychother Psychosom, 87(5), 296305. PubMed ID: 30041167 doi:10.1159/000490742

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Maslach, C., & Schaufeli, W.B. (1993). Historical and conceptual development of burnout. In W.B. Schaufeli, C. Maslach, & T. Marek (Eds.), Professional burnout: Recent developments in theory and research (pp. 116). Washington, DC: Taylor & Francis.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Open Science Collaboration. (2015). Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science. Science, 349(6251), aac4716. doi:10.1126/science.aac4716

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pacewicz, C.E., Mellano, K.T., & Smith, A.L. (2019). A meta-analytic review of the relationship between social constructs and athlete burnout. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 43, 155164. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.02.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Pacewicz, C.E., Smith, A.L., & Raedeke, T.D. (2020). Group cohesion and relatedness as predictors of self-determined motivation and burnout in adolescent female athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 50, 101709. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101709

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Raedeke, T.D. (1997). Is athlete burnout more than just stress? A sport commitment perspective. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 19(4), 396417. doi:10.1123/jsep.19.4.396

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Raedeke, T.D., & Smith, A.L. (2001). Development and preliminary validation of an athlete burnout measure. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 23(4), 281306. PubMed ID: 28682196 doi:10.1123/jsep.23.4.281

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Raedeke, T.D., & Smith, A.L. (2009). The Athlete Burnout Questionnaire manual. Fitness Information Technology.

  • Raedeke, T.D., Smith, A, Kenttä, G., Arce, C., & de Francisco, C. (2014). Burnout in sport: From theory to intervention. In A.R. Gomes, R. Rezende, & A. Albuquerque (Eds.), Positive human functioning from a multidimensional perspective: Promoting stress adaptation (pp. 113142). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Richardson, K.M., & Rothstein, H.R. (2008). Effects of occupational stress management intervention programs: A meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 13(1), 6993. PubMed ID: 18211170 doi:10.1037/1076-8998.13.1.69

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Sallis, J.F. & Owen, N. (2015). Ecological models of health behavior. In K. Glanz, B.K. Rimer, & K. Viswanath (Eds.), Health behavior: Theory, research, and practice (5th ed., pp. 4364). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Santoft, F, Salomonsson, S, Hesser, H, Lindsäter, E, Ljótsson, B, Lekander, M, … Hedman-Lagerlöf, E. (2019). Mediators of change in cognitive behavior therapy for clinical burnout. Behavior Therapy, 50(3), 475488. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2018.08.005

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, A.L., Erickson, K., & Malete, L. (2019). Advancing youth sport scholarship: Selected directions and considerations. Kinesiology Review, 8(3), 269277. doi:10.1123/kr.2019-0046

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, A.L., Pacewicz, C.E., & Raedeke, T.D. (2019). Athlete burnout in competitive sport. In T.S. Horn & A.L. Smith (Eds.), Advances in sport and exercise psychology (4th ed., pp. 409424). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, E.P., Hill, A.P., Mallinson-Howard, S.H., & Gustafsson, H. (2020). Stress, burnout and perfectionism in soccer players. In J. Dixon, J. Barker, R. Thelwell, & I. Mitchell (Eds.), The Psychology of Soccer (pp. 292–316). London, UK: Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Smith, R.E. (1986). Toward a cognitive-affective model of athletic burnout. Journal of Sport Psychology, 8(1), 3650. doi:10.1123/jsp.8.1.36

  • Smith, R.E. (1993). Psychology. Minneapolis, MN; West Publishing Company.

  • Sonnentag, S. (2018). The recovery paradox: Portraying the complex interplay between job stressors, lack of recovery, and poor well-being. Research in Organizational Behavior, 38, 169185. doi:10.1016/j.riob.2018.11.002

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Stenlund, T., Ahlgren, C., Lindahl, B., Burell, G., Steinholtz, K., Edlund, C., … Birgander, L.S. (2009). Cognitively oriented behavioral rehabilitation in combination with Qigong for patients on long-term sick leave because of burnout: REST—A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 16(3), 294. PubMed ID: 19148765 doi:10.1007/s12529-008-9011-7

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Twenge, J.M., Martin, G.N., & Spitzberg, B.H. (2019). Trends in U.S. adolescents’ media use, 1976–2016: The rise of digital media, the decline of TV, and the (near) demise of print. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 8(4), 329345. doi:10.1037/ppm0000203

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • Udry, E., Gould, D., Bridges, D., & Tuffey, S. (1997). People helping people? Examining the social ties of athletes coping with burnout and injury stress. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 19(4), 368395. doi:10.1123/jsep.19.4.368

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • World Health Organization. (2020). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th ed.). Retrieved from https://icd.who.int/

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 4010 2068 96
Full Text Views 120 61 4
PDF Downloads 155 85 2