The Influence of Social Support Provider on Adolescent Athlete Burnout and Engagement

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

Click name to view affiliation

Kathleen T. Mellano Department of Exercise Science and Athletic Training, Springfield College, Springfield, MA, USA

Search for other papers by Kathleen T. Mellano in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5648-5727 *
and
Christine Pacewicz Department of Sport Leadership and Management, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA

Search for other papers by Christine Pacewicz in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3756-7313
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2022-0054
Keywords:
well-being; ill-being; peers; coaches; youth sport
First Published Online:
09 Sep 2023
In Print:
Volume 17: Issue 4
Page Range:
429–448
Restricted access

The purpose of the current research was to examine the interaction of teammate and coach support on athlete burnout and engagement, and determine how type of teammate and coach support links with athlete burnout and engagement. Adolescent athletes (N = 176) completed measures of support, burnout, and engagement. Total teammate and coach support accounted for 14.9%–26.0% and 22.4%–36.7% explained variance across dimensions of burnout and engagement, respectively. No meaningful significant interaction was found. Teammate esteem support predicted reduced accomplishment, devaluation, confidence, and vigor (β = −0.31, −0.36, 0.28, and 0.28), while emotional and tangible support predicted dedication (β = 0.29 and 0.20) and enthusiasm (β = 0.30 and 0.22). Coach esteem support predicted reduced accomplishment (β = −0.59) and devaluation (β = −0.27). Findings suggest that support from one key agent can enhance youth athlete well-being, but types of support provided by agents differ in salience.

  • Collapse
  • Expand

Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

Cover Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

  • Abrahamsen, F.E., Roberts, G.C., Pensgaard, A.M., & Ronglan, L.T. (2008). Perceived ability and social support as mediators of achievement motivation and performance anxiety. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 18(6), 810–821. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2007.00707.x

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Aiken, L.S., & West, S.G. (1991). Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Sage.

  • Bianco, T., & Eklund, R.C. (2001). Conceptual considerations for social support research in sport and exercise settings: The case of sport injury. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 23(2), 85–107. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.23.2.85

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Camiré, M., & Santos, F. (2019). Promoting positive youth development and life skills in youth sport: Challenges and opportunities amidst increased professionalization. Journal of Sport Pedagogy and Research, 5(1), 27–34.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Coakley, J. (1992). Burnout among adolescent athletes: A personal failure or social problem? Sociology of Sport Journal, 9(3), 271–285. https://doi.org/10.1123/ssj.9.3.271

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power and analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum.

  • Curran, T., Appleton, P.R., Hill, A.P., & Hall, H.K. (2013). The mediating role of psychological need satisfaction in relationships between types of passion for sport and athlete burnout. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31(6), 597–606. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.742956

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Curran, T., Hill, A.P., Hall, H.K., & Jowett, G.E. (2014). Perceived coach behaviors and athletes’ engagement and disaffection in youth sport: The mediating role of the psychological needs. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 45, 369–384.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Curran, T., Hill, A.P., Hall, H.K., & Jowett, G.E. (2015). Relationships between coach created motivational climate and athlete engagement in youth sport. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 37(2), 193–198. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2014-0203

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cutrona, C.E., & Russell, D.W. (1990). Type of social support and specific stress: Toward a theory of optimal matching. In B.R. Sarason, I.G. Sarason, & G.R. Pierce (Eds.), Social support: An interactional view (pp. 319–366). John Wiley & Sons.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Deci, E.L., & Ryan, R.M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behaviour. Plenum Press.

  • DeFreese, J.D., & Smith, A.L. (2013). Teammate social support, burnout, and self-determined motivation in collegiate athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(2), 258–265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.10.009

    • 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), 619–630. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2014-0040

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eklund, R.C. & Cresswell, S.L. (2007). Athlete burnout. In G. Tenenbaum & R. Eklund (Eds.), Handbook of sport psychology (3rd ed., pp. 621–641). John Wiley & Sons.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Eklund, R.C., & DeFreese, J.D. (2015). Athlete burnout: What we know, what we could know, and how we can find out more. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 27(2), 63–75. https://doi.org/10.24985/ijass.2015.27.2.63

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Freeman, P., Coffee, P., Moll, T., Rees, T., & Sammy, N. (2014). The ARSQ: The athletes’ received support questionnaire. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 36(2), 189–202. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2013-0080

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Freeman, P., Coffee, P., & Rees, T. (2011). The PASS-Q: The perceived available support in sport questionnaire. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 33(1), 54–74. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.33.1.54

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Freeman, P., & Rees, T. (2008). The effects of perceived and received support on objective performance outcome. European Journal of Sport Science, 8(6), 359–368. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461390802261439

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gilbert, W.D., & Trudel, P. (2004). Role of the coach: How model youth team sport coaches frame their roles. The Sport Psychologist, 18(1), 21–43. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.18.1.21

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Goodger, K., Gorely, T., Lavallee, D., & Harwood, C. (2007). Burnout in sport: A systematic review. Sport Psychologist, 21(2), 127–151. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.21.2.127

    • 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), 341–366. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.10.4.341

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gustafsson, H., DeFreese, J.D., & Madigan, D.J. (2017). Athlete burnout: Review and recommendations. Current Opinion in Psychology, 16, 109–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.05.002

    • 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 and Exercise, 9(6), 800–816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.11.004

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Gustafsson, H., Skoog, T., Podlog, L., Lundqvist, C., & Wagnsson, S. (2013). Hope and athlete burnout: Stress and affect as mediators. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 14(5), 640–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.03.008

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Harris, B.S., & Watson, J.C. (2014). Developmental considerations in youth athlete burnout: A model for youth sport participants. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 8(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2014-0009

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hodge, K., Lonsdale, C., Jackson, S.A. (2009). Athlete engagement in elite sport: An exploratory investigation of antecedents and consequences. The Sport Psychologist, 23(2), 186–202. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.23.2.186

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Holt, N.L., & Hoar, S.D. (2006). The multidimensional construct of social support. In S. Hanton, & S. Mellalieu (Eds.), Literature reviews in sport psychology (pp. 199–225). Nova Science Publishers.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Horn, T.S. (2004). Developmental perspectives on self-perceptions in children and adolescents. In M.R. Weiss (Ed.), Developmental sport and exercise psychology: A lifespan perspective (pp. 101–143). Fitness Information Technology.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lonsdale, C., Hodge, K., & Jackson, S.A. (2007). Athlete engagement: II. Development and initial validation of the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 38, 471–492.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Madigan, D.J., Gustafsson, H., Hill, A.P., Mellano, K.T., Pacewicz, C.E., Raedeke, T.D., & Smith, A.L. (2021). Perspectives on the future of burnout in sport. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 16(1), Article 45. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2021-0045

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Madigan, D.J., Stoeber, J., & Passfield, L. (2015). Perfectionism and burnout in junior athletes: A three-month longitudinal study. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 37(3), 305–315. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2014-0266

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Martin, J.J., & Malone, L.A. (2013). Elite wheelchair rugby players’ mental skills and sport engagement. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 7(4), 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.7.4.253

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Martinent, G., Louvet, B., & Decret, J.C. (2020). Longitudinal trajectories of athlete burnout among young table tennis players: A 3-wave study. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 9(4), 367–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2016.09.003

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maslach, C., & Jackson, S.E. (1981). The measurement of experienced burnout. Journal of Occupational Behaviour, 2(2), 99–113. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.4030020205

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Maslach, C., & Jackson, S.E. (1986). Maslach burnout inventory manual (2nd ed.). Consulting Psychologists Press.

  • McCallister, S.G., Blinde, E.M., & Weiss, W.M. (2000). Teaching values and implementing philosophies: Dilemmas of the youth sport coach. The Physical Educator, 57(1), 35–45.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McClelland, G.G., & Judd, C.M. (1993). Statistical difficulties of detecting interactions and moderator effects. Psychological Bulletin, 114(2), 376–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.114.2.376

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mellano, K.T., Horn, T.S., Mann, M. (2022). Examining the links between coaching behaviors and collegiate athletes’ burnout levels using a longitudinal approach. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 61, Article 102189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102189

    • 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, 155–164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.02.002

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Pacewicz, C.E., & Smith, A.L. (2022). Teammate relationships, loneliness, and the motivational and well-being experiences of adolescent athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 16(1), 3–22. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2021-0015

    • 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), 396–417. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.19.4.396

    • 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), 281–306. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.23.4.281

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Raedeke, T.D., & Smith, A.L. (2009). The athlete burnout questionnaire manual. Fitness Information Technology.

  • Rees, T. (2007). Influence of social support on athletes. In S. Jowette & D. Lavallee (Eds.), Social psychology in sport (pp. 223–231). Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rees, T., & Hardy, L. (2000). An investigation of the social support experiences of high-level sports performers. The Sport Psychologist, 14(4), 327–347. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.14.4.327

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rees, T., & Hardy, L. (2004). Matching social support with stressors: Effects on factors underlying performance in tennis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 5(3), 319–337. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1469-0292(03)00018-9

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rees, T., Hardy, L., & Freeman, P. (2007). Stressors, social support, and effects upon performance in golf. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(1), 33–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410600702974

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Russell, W.D. (2021). The role of athletic identity and perceived social support on college female athletes’ burnout. Journal of Sport Behavior, 44(1), 99–119.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Scotto di Luzio, S., Martinent, G., Guillet-Descas, E., & Daigle, M.P. (2020). Exploring the role of sport sense of community in perceived athlete burnout, sport motivation, and engagement. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(5), 513–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2019.1575298

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sheridan, D., Coffee, P., & Lavallee, D. (2014). A systematic review of social support in youth sport. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7(1), 198–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2014.931999

    • 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 sportandexercise psychology (4th ed., pp. 409–424). Human Kinetics.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smith, E.P., Hill, A.P., & Hall, H.K. (2018). Perfectionism, burnout, and depression in youth soccer players: A longitudinal study. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 12(2), 179–200. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0015

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sullivan, H.S. (1953). The interpersonal theory of psychiatry. Norton.

  • Tabachnick, B.G., & Fidell, L.S. (2013). Using multivariate statistics (6th ed.). Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

  • Ullrich-French, S., & Smith, A.L. (2006). Perceptions of relationships with parents and peers in youth sport: Independent and combined prediction of motivational outcomes. Psychology of Sport & Exercise, 7(2), 193–214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2005.08.006

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weiss, M.R., & Raedeke, T.D. (2004). Developmental sport and exercise psychology: Research status on youth and directions toward a lifespan perspective. Fitness Information Technology.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wills, T.A., & Shinar, O. (2000). Measuring perceived and received social support. In S. Cohen, L.G. Underwood, & B.H. Gottlieb (Eds.), Social support measurement and intervention: A guide for health and social scientists (pp. 86–135). Oxford University Press.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 662 662 66
Full Text Views 1624 1624 45
PDF Downloads 22 22 10