Bringing sports coaches’ experiences of primary appraisals and psychological well-being to life using composite vignettes

Research attention has been directed toward coaches’ stressor experiences, yet less is known about the role of stress appraisals and psychological well-being (PWB). Considering the links between PWB, mental health, and retention in the coaching profession, this study will explore primary appraisals and PWB among sports coaches. Guided by our constructivist paradigm that underpinned our relativist ontology and subjectivist epistemology, we conducted theoretically informed semi-structured interviews with six coaches (five men and one woman) who represented both team and individual sports. We analysed data thematically using an abductive approach and constructed 10 composite vignettes that describe a powerful and shared account of the coaches’ lived experiences. The vignettes offer insight to the coaches’ primary appraisals and the impact of stress transactions on PWB. For example, benefit appraisals had a positive impact on environmental mastery and self-acceptance, threat appraisals had a negative impact on autonomy and environmental mastery, and harm/loss appraisals are shown to influence health. Based on these findings, we propose several impactful recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and National Governing Bodies (NGBs). For example, we recommend that practitioners working with coaches should foster positive working relationships with athletes to support coaches’ PWB. Further, we encourage NGBs to work closely with coaches and practitioners to promote safe and favourable working environments, increasing coaches’ autonomy, and maximise flexible working conditions.