Publication Cover
Identity
An International Journal of Theory and Research
Volume 14, 2014 - Issue 2
1,993
Views
5
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

How Do Coaches Identify With Their Role as a Coach? Exploring Coach Identity Through a Role Identity Theory Lens

, &
Pages 136-152 | Published online: 13 May 2014
 

Abstract

This study was designed to explore the coach identity through the meanings and prominence ascribed to the coaching role from a role identity theory perspective (McCall & Simmons, Citation1978). Participants (n = 8), ranging in age from 22 to 61 years old, reported coaching on average about 19 years and primarily coached university- to national-level athletes. Results from the semistructured interview with the participants yielded a thematic tree that consisted of two higher-order themes (coach meanings and coach identity prominence). Coach meaning was refined into three categories: coaching behavioral expectations, coaching characteristics, and ultimate coaching purposes. Coach identity prominence was composed of two categories: coaching centrality/importance and coaching emotions. There were 21 lower-order themes that were associated with these categories. Results from this study provided initial support for the conceptualizations put forth by role identity theorists, and offered initial insight for (a) the development of identity-based coaching scales, and (b) examination of the coach identity nomological network.

Notes

Note. Years coaching represents the total years coaching at any level. Level coached is the primary level that participants currently coached.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 53.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 276.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.