Burnout and turnover intentions in Australian coaches as related to organisational support and perceived control

Abstract

Coach burnout and turnover intentions, as potentially modified by organisational support, perceived control, and coping strategies, were explored in a sample of 406 team and individual sport coaches. Multiple regression analyses revealed that higher perceived organisational support was associated with lower coach burnout scores. Further, coaches' internal locus of control and use of approach coping strategies predicted lower levels of burnout, especially reduced sense of accomplishment. Higher perceived organisational support was also a negative predictor of coaches' turnover intentions, whereas all three burnout dimensions were strong positive predictors. The focus of coach burnout literature has traditionally been on individual factors; this study shows that organisational factors also play an important role for understanding and preventing coach burnout and turnover. We therefore encourage sporting organisations to consider these findings and how they can work towards protecting their coaches against burnout and from leaving the organisation.