Club and Players' Pressures on the Motivation, Vitality and Stress of Development Coaches

Abstract

Drawing from self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to examine how environmental factors predict coaches' intrinsic motivation and amotivation, which in turn were expected to be related to coaches' subjective vitality and stress. Development coaches (n = 311) completed a questionnaire tapping the targeted variables. Structural equation modelling supported a model in which opportunities for professional development and perceptions of players' intrinsic motivation were positively related to coaches' intrinsic motivation and negatively associated to coaches' amotivation. In turn, intrinsic motivation predicted subjective vitality whereas amotivation led to suffering from stress. Our results highlight how coaching environments influence coaches' motivation and psychological health. The study discusses two conditions that could help clubs at developmental level to maintain their coaches intrinsically motivated: Providing coaches with opportunities for learning and improvement, and being aware of the reciprocal relationship between coaches' and players' motivations.