Elite coaches’ psychological strain is documented more clearly than ways to relieve it
A review connected performance pressure, workload and relationship demands with poorer wellbeing, while finding relatively little research on interventions designed for coaches.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review describes links between demanding coaching environments and burnout, poorer psychological wellbeing, reduced coaching effectiveness and strained relationships with athletes. It also identifies a gap: relatively few studies evaluated support strategies specifically for coaches. These findings map reported problems and research needs, but they do not establish what causes them or which support approach works best.
The abstract provides no pooled effect sizes, participant total or detailed study designs. This abstract-based summary therefore cannot quantify the strength of the associations or judge the effectiveness of any particular support program.
What the review brought together
The review brought together literature on coaches’ psychological difficulties, their reported drivers, consequences and possible interventions. Performance demands, heavy workloads, athlete management and social expectations emerged as recurring themes in the authors’ synthesis.
Where the evidence leaves a gap
The reported outcomes span coaches’ own wellbeing and their professional relationships and effectiveness. Although the authors call for evidence-based support, the abstract does not identify an intervention with demonstrated benefit or compare alternative ways of providing help.
The original publication
A systematic review of psychological difficulties among elite sports coaches.
Kang S, Lee S
Front Psychol · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41181671
- Record checked
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