Coaches are people too: An applied model of stress management for sports coaches

Abstract

This paper examines the growing concern over stress among sports coaches. In particular, it provides an applied model of stress management in coaching which explores some of the significant causes of stress and outlines a five-step stress management program designed to address the special needs and concerns of coaches. The model is based on an integration of previous theoretical and empirical research both within and outside of sports. The first step, perceptions of coaching, assists coaches in understanding their perceptions, beliefs, and motivations for coaching. The second step, identification of primary stressors, involves clarifying to coaches their most significant sources of stress. The third step, identification of symptomatology, allows for the specification of the manner in which the stress is manifested in the individual coaches. The fourth step, development of coping skills, provides a structure within which coaches may cope effectively with stresson. Finally, the fifth step, building support systems, describes how a broad-based social support system may contribute to the effective management of stress.