Mentally tough athletes are more aware of unsupportive coaching behaviours: Perceptions of coach behaviour, motivational climate, and mental toughness in sport

Nicholls, Adam R.; Perry, John L.; Morley, Dave

Abstract

In this study we tested an a priori model that included coach behaviour, motivational climate, and mental toughness among 290 athletes. Structural equation modelling demonstrated that supportive coach behaviours were related to a task-involving climate, and that task-involving climates positively associated with mental toughness. The path between supportive coach behaviours and mental toughness was insignificant. When task-involving climate was taken into account, however, supportive coach behaviours were positively associated with task-involving climates, which in turn was positively associated with mental toughness. This study illustrates the importance of coach behaviour in relation to shaping the motivational climate, which in turn may impact on the development of mental toughness among athletes.

Citation

Nicholls, A. R., Perry, J. L., & Morley, D. (2016). Mentally tough athletes are more aware of unsupportive coaching behaviours: Perceptions of coach behaviour, motivational climate, and mental toughness in sport. International journal of sports science & coaching, 11(2), 172-181. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116636714

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 8, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 30, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2017
• Journal: International journal of sports science & coaching
• Print ISSN: 1747-9541
• Electronic ISSN: 2048-397X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 172-181
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116636714
• Keywords: Coaching, Ego-involving, Goal orientation, Mental toughness, Motivation, Task-involving
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/377174
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1747954116636714
• Additional Information: This is the author's accepted version of an article published in: International journal of sports science & coaching, 2016, v.11 issue 2.