Attachment patterns of coaches in the youth competitive and elite coaching community

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attachment orientations of coaches within the competitive and elite youth coaching community with the aim of understanding their possible impact on the coach-youth athlete relationship. 107 participants were recruited (level 2 or higher qualified UK based youth coaches) across multiple sports. Data was collected using the Experience in Close Relationships – Relationship Structure questionnaire (ECR-RS) to determine participants’ attachment orientation. Results found that 51% of youth coaches presented as securely attached, while 13% presented as dismissive, 25% as preoccupied, and 11% as fearful-avoidant. This suggests that a large proportion of the coaching community have the potential to struggle with their emotional regulation under emotional stress. Research within sports psychology suggests that to improve an athlete’s wellbeing and to help create positive coach-athlete relationships coaches need to demonstrate secure attachment behaviours (secure base, safe haven, and close proximity). This paper highlights the disparity between these two positions – the expectation of ideal coaching affective behaviour and the innate capability of coaches to deliver such behaviours. This understanding suggests that any intervention aimed at strengthening the affective element within the coach-youth athlete relationship needs to consider the attachment nature of the coaching community.