Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the factors of the coach-athlete relationship that influence athletes’ mental health and to find ways to improve the quality of this relationship. A total of 8 eligible participants in the qualitative study were asked to complete an individual interview session where they answered questions about their personal experiences with coaches as collegiate athletes. We will be searching for the essential structures of the coach-athlete relationship by studying multiple examples of it and finding what experiences athletes have in common. The results of this qualitative study have shown coaching behaviors that promote fear of failure, favoritism of players, and bad leadership are the main factors that create a negative coach-athlete relationship. Therefore, the anxiety and depression levels of the athletes increase as they experience a harmful coach-athlete relationship.

Semester/Year of Award

Spring 5-1-2024

Mentor

Julia Vasquez

Mentor Professional Affiliation

Eastern Kentucky University Athletic Department

Access Options

Open Access Thesis

Document Type

Bachelor Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Scholars

Degree Level

Bachelors

Department

Psychology

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

5555

Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1s1ws3xuierhDeQQEHgOuOGzAf2f-9K9uTTHdN1g_K4s/edit?usp=sharing

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