Elite Athletes' Experience of Coping With Emotional Abuse in the Coach–Athlete Relationship
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, we explore the coping strategies used by elite athletes in response to emotional abuse experienced within the coach–athlete relationship. The athletes in this study adopted emotion- and avoidance-focused coping strategies to manage their feelings in the moment that emotional abuse occurred. Over time, athletes accessed support networks and engaged in sense making to rationalize their experiences. The potential of coping-level intervention to develop individual resources and to break the cycle of emotional abuse in sport is highlighted. We suggest that as primary agents of ensuring athlete's protection, sport psychologists need appropriate safeguarding training.
Authors: Emma Kavanagh, Lorraine Brown, Ian Jones
Institution: Bournemouth University
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2602330940