A new study reveals that nearly one in five NCAA student-athletes report receiving abuse from their coaches, ranging from maltreatment to psychological abuse and neglect.
“Overall, athletes rely heavily on their coaches for professional and personal growth,” the research team led by senior investigator Dr. Yetsa Tuakli-Worsornu, founding director of the Stanford University Center for Sports Equity, noted. “The presence of abusive leadership behaviors can hinder this development, as well as negatively affect an athlete’s performance, experience of sport and mental health."
According to the report, nearly 19% of more than 3,300 athletes on NCAA rosters said they’d experienced abusive supervision from their coach.
The study analyzed data from the 2021-22 myPlaybook survey administered by the University of North Carolina Greensboro Institute to Promote Athlete Health & Wellness, in collaboration with Stanford University's Sports Equity Lab.
The survey included questions regarding abusive supervision, to which 3,317 student athletes provided responses.
Athletes participating in a team sport were about 10% more likely to be abused, and those with a disability were 17% more likely, results show.
Coaches who were primarily focused on winning were more likely to be abusive, with a 24% to 47% increased risk of athletes viewing them as abusive, results show..
"Athletes view their coaches as role models, which makes their interactions a susceptible area for supervised abuse," wrote the authors of the report. "While transformational leadership can inspire players and impart valuable life lessons that positively impact athletes’ play and contribute to their development, an unethical leader can severely negatively affect an athlete’s mental health, quality of life and well-being in adulthood. Therefore, it is imperative that coaches and organisations are committed to supporting safe sport for their participants, and develop protective systems and initiatives, especially for equity-deserving athletes."
