Stress and Mental Well-Being Experiences of Professional Football Coaches

in The Sport Psychologist

Click name to view affiliation

Lee Baldock University of South Wales

Search for other papers by Lee Baldock in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Brendan Cropley University of South Wales

Search for other papers by Brendan Cropley in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
,
Rich Neil Cardiff Metropolitan University

Search for other papers by Rich Neil in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
*
, and
Stephen D. Mellalieu Cardiff Metropolitan University

Search for other papers by Stephen D. Mellalieu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2020-0087
Keywords:
appraisal; coping; elite soccer coaches; eudaimonic well-being; hedonic well-being; stressors
First Published Online:
21 Apr 2021
In Print:
Volume 35: Issue 2
Page Range:
108–122
Restricted access

The stress experiences and their impact upon the daily lives and mental well-being of English Premier League professional (soccer) football coaches were explored using an in-depth qualitative design. Eight participants were interviewed using a semi-structured approach with thematic and causal network analysis revealing that (a) a range of contextually dependent demands were experienced and interpreted in relation to their situational properties; (b) many demands were appraised and emotionally responded to in a negative manner; (c) a range of coping strategies were adopted to cope with stress experiences, with many reported as ineffective; and (d) stress experiences often led to negative implications for their daily lives and eudaimonic and hedonic well-being. Positive adaptations to some demands experienced were reported and augmented perceptions of mental well-being. The findings of this study make a novel and significant contribution to understanding the interrelationships between the principal components of the stress process and the prospective links between stress and mental well-being.

Baldock and Cropley are with the School of Health, Sport & Professional Practice, University of South Wales, Pontypridd, United Kingdom. Neil and Mellalieu are with Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Baldock (lee.baldock@southwales.ac.uk) is corresponding author.
  • Collapse
  • Expand

The Sport Psychologist

Cover The Sport Psychologist

  • Arnold, R., Fletcher, D., & Daniels, K. (2017). Organisational stressors, coping, and outcomes in competitive sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(7), 694–703. PubMed ID: 27173730

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Baldock, L., Cropley, B., Mellalieu, S.D., & Neil, R. (2020). The stress and well-being of those operating in groups. In R. Schinke& D. Hackfort (Eds.), The Routledge international encyclopedia of sport and exercise psychology (pp. 620–634). Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Braun, V., Clarke, V., & Weate, P. (2016). Using thematic analysis in sport and exercise research. In B. Smith& A.C. Sparkes (Eds.), Routledge handbook of qualitative research in sport and exercise (pp. 191–205). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bridgewater, S. (2010). Football management. Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Cropley, B., Baldock, L., Mellalieu, S.D., Neil, R., Wagstaff, C.R.D., & Wadey, R. (2016). Coping with the demands of professional practice: Sport psychology consultants’ perspectives. The Sport Psychologist, 30,(3) 290–302.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cropley, B., Thelwell, R., Mallett, C., & Dieffenbach, K. (2020). A commentary and reflection on sport psychology in the discipline of sports coaching. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 32(1), 121–128.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cruickshank, A., & Collins, D. (2012). Change management: The case of the elite sport performance team. Journal of Change Management, 12, 209–229.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Didymus, 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.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Didymus, F., Rumbold, J., & Staff, H. (2018). Promoting and protecting coach psychological well-being and performance. In R. Thelwell & M. Dicks (Eds.), Professional advances in sports coaching: Research and practice (pp. 261–276). Routledge.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Didymus, F.F., & Fletcher, D. (2017). Organizational stress in high-level field hockey: Examining transactional pathways between stressors, appraisals, coping and performance satisfaction. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 12, 252–263.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Diener, E., Suh, E., Lucas, R., & Smith, H. (1999). Subjective well-being: Three decades of progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276–302.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hanton, S., Wagstaff, C.R.D., & Fletcher, D. (2012). Cognitive appraisals of stressors encountered in sport organizations. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10,(4) 276–289.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hayward, F., Knight, C., & Mellalieu, S. (2017). A longitudinal examination of stressors, appraisals, and coping in youth swimming. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 29, 56–68.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kelly, S., & Harris, J. (2010). Managers, directors and trust in professional football. Sport in Society, 13(3), 489–502.

  • Lazarus, R.S. (1999). Stress and emotion: A new synthesis. Free Association.

  • Lazarus, R.S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.

  • Lincoln, Y.S., Lynham, S.A., & Guba, E.G. (2011). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences, revisited. In N.K. Denzin& Y.S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage handbook of qualitative research (pp. 97–128). Sage.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Lundqvist, C. (2011). Well-Being in competitive sports—The feel-good factor? A review of conceptual considerations of well-being. International Review of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 4(2), 109–127. :

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • McNeill, K., Durand-Bush, N., & Lemyre, P.-N. (2018). Thriving, depleted, and at-risk Canadian coaches: Profiles of psychological functioning linked to self-regulation and stress. International Sports Coaching Journal, 5(2), 145–155.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Miles, M.B., & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage.

  • Mills, J., & Boardley, I. (2016). Expert Premier League soccer managers’ use of transformational leadership behaviors and attitude towards sport integrity: An intrinsic case study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 11(3), 382–394.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Morrow, S., & Howieson, B. (2018). Learning to be a professional football manager: A Bourdieusian perspective. Managing Sport and Leisure, 23, 92–105.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Neil, R., McFarlane, H., & Smith, A. (2016). Positive wellbeing in sport organizations. In. C.R.D. Wagstaff (Ed.). The organizational psychology of sport: Key issues and practical applications (pp. 101–19). Routledge.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nicholls, A., Polman, R., & Levy, A. (2012). A path analysis of stress appraisals, emotions, coping, and performance satisfaction among athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 13(3), 263–270.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nie, Y., Lau, S., & Liau, A.K. (2011). Role of academic self-efficacy in moderating the relation between task importance and test anxiety. Learning and Individual Differences, 21(6), 736–741.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Norris, L., Didymus, F., & Kaiseler, M. (2017). Stressors, coping, and well-being among sports coaches: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 33, 93–112.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Olusoga, P., Butt, J., Hays, K., & Maynard, I. (2009). Stress in elite sports coaching: Identifying stressors. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 21,(4) 442–459.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Olusoga, P., Butt, J., Maynard, I., & Hays, K. (2010). Stress and coping: A study of world class coaches. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 22,(3) 274–293.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Patton, M. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and practice (4th ed.). Sage.

  • Potts, A.J., Didymus, F.F., & Kaiseler, M. (2018). Exploring stressors and coping among volunteer, part-time and full-time sports coaches. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 11(1), 46–68.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ryff, C.D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-bein. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57, 1069–1081.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ryff, C.D., & Singer, B.H. (2008). Know thyself and become what you are: A eudaimonic approach to psychological well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1), 13–39.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Salim, J., Wadey, R., & Diss, C. (2016). Examining the relationship between hardiness, coping, and stress-related growth. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(2), 154–169.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Skinner, E.A., Edge, K., Altman, J., & Sherwood, H. (2003). Searching for the structure of coping: A review and critique of category systems for classifying ways of coping. Psychological Bulletin, 129(2), 216–269. PubMed ID: 12696840

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Smith, B., & McGannon, K. (2017). Developing rigor in qualitative research: Problems and opportunities within sport and exercise psychology. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 11, 1–21.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Sparkes, A.C., & Smith, B. (2014). Qualitative research methods in sport, exercise and health. From process to product. Routledge.

  • Thatcher, J., & Day, M. (2008). Re-Appraising stress appraisals: The underlying properties of stress in sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 9(3), 318–335.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thelwell, R., Wagstaff, C., Rayner, A., Chapman, M., & Barker, J. (2017). Exploring athletes’ perceptions of coach stress in elite sport environments. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(1), 44–55. PubMed ID: 26933762

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thelwell, R., Weston, N., & Greenlees, I.A. (2010). Coping with stressors in elite sport: A coach perspective. European Journal of Sport Science, 10(4), 243–253.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thelwell, R., Weston, N., Greenlees, I., & Hutchings, N. (2008). Stressors in elite sport: A coach perspective. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(9), 905–918. PubMed ID: 18569556

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Thompson, A., Potrac, P., & Jones, R. (2015). I found out the hard way: Micro-Political workings in professional football. Sport, Education and Society, 20(8), 976–994.

    • Crossref
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 2944 1388 84
Full Text Views 232 64 6
PDF Downloads 326 104 10