(In) congruency of Coach and Athlete Perceptions of Coach Behaviour and Athlete Outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: According to Self-determination theory (SDT), coach behaviours influence the motivational climate and subsequent athlete consequences (e.g., well-being and performance outcomes). Autonomy-supportive behaviours displayed by the coach should promote self-determined forms of motivation and adaptive environments. To what extend coaches are aware of their behaviours and the effect these have on the psychological and motivational outcomes for the athlete is important to coaching science research. AIM: There were two broad aims of this research project. First, to examine the congruency in perceptions between coach behaviours from the coach and athlete perspective. Second, to examine Vallerand's (1997) motivation sequence, specifically the influence of coach behaviours on well being on performance. METHOD: A quantitative research method was used in this study. Basketball Coaches (N=58) and players (N=258) completed surveys regarding their perceptions of quality coaching in Basketball. FINDINGS: The data showed significant differences in the perceptions of coaches and their players to the extent of autonomy-supportive behaviours. Secondly, as hypothesised, controlling behaviours were found to predict maladaptive forms of motivation and lower levels of well being and performance. CONCLUSION: Autonomy-supportive coaching is proposed to foster the psychosocial outcomes (e.g., well-being) for athletes. Findings from this study support both theory and previous research.