Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Introduction: High-performance coaches have a highly demanding job and they work inconvenient work hours (e.g., Olusoga et al., 2009; Thelwell et al., 2008b).They are also described as highly motivated for their sport and job (McLean et al., 2012).This combination can put them at risk of experiencing burnout (Pines, 1993).Burnout is a work-related syndrome that develops over time and is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced personal accomplishment (Maslach & Schaufeli, 1993).As of today, longitudinal research conducted to better understand the burnout process within this population is scarce.Aim: Examine (a) whether high-performance coaches experience an increase in burnout over a competitive season and explore associated symptoms, (b) whether the selfdetermination theory process model (Williams et al., 2004) could be a valuable framework to better understand the process of burnout, where both motivational and workload related variables serve as explanatory mechanisms.Methods: (I) A retrospective qualitative design was used when interviewing four previous exhausted professional coaches to better understand their perception of the burnout process and its related symptoms, (II) A longitudinal variable centred approach using SEMmodelling on intraindividual change was used to test the SDT process model towards burnout among high-performance coaches (N = 343) over a competitive season, (III) A longitudinal personal centred approach was used to examine for different exhaustion trajectories over a season among high-performance coaches (N = 299), and, (IV) A longitudinal mixed method design was used to explore for differences among high-performance soccer coaches who were either high or low in burnout symptoms (quantitative data, N = 92; qualitative data, n = 4). Results and discussion:The longitudinal designs and analysis used in the current thesis contributed to a better understanding of the process of burnout.Essentially, coaches increased in the burnout dimensions over the competitive season.A personal centred approach II gave a more nuanced picture of the development of exhaustion, where most coaches experienced low levels of exhaustion.Importantly, results revealed that there were subpopulations that either increased or stayed high in exhaustion throughout the season.At the end of the season, one out of four of the coaches was high in exhaustion, which is a considerable number.The magnitude and seriousness of the reported burnout symptoms were displayed both at the individual, intraindividual, and organizational level.In conclusion, the expanded SDT process model served as a sound theoretical framework to better explain why a maladaptive work environment led to higher levels of burnout among high-performance coaches.Lower levels of need satisfaction, and needs thwarting, led to limited psychological resources that were of necessity when coaching in a demanding context.The strongest finding related to burnout and quality of motivation was the positive relationship with autonomous regulations (intrinsic and identified).Higher levels of autonomous regulations had a preventive effect on burnout, while lower levels had a detrimental effect on burnout.As coaches typically entered the profession with a high intrinsic motivation, finding it fun, interesting, and valuable, these are qualities that are of great importance to maintain in the job.Further, the findings regarding WHI and recovery as explanatory variables in the burnout process for coaches adds new knowledge to the coach burnout literature.Coaches who experienced larger interference between work and private life were at greater risk of experiencing higher levels of burnout.The ability to meet recovery demands is crucial in order to remain healthy and vital in the jobs as a coach, and both psychological detachment and relaxation need to be better implemented as skills among coaches to prevent burnout.
Source: BIBSYS Brage (BIBSYS (Norway))
Author: Marte Bentzen
Language: English
Topic: Stress and Burnout Research
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2498185476