An integrated perspective of the demand–control and effort–reward imbalance models on burnout among sport coaches: The moderating role of over-commitment and coaching efficacy

Abstract

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between stress and burnout through an integration of the demand–control (DC) and effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model in the context of sport coaching. This is the first study to integrate these two models to explain burnout experienced by sport coaches, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the development of burnout in this population. A sample of 398 Chinese sport coaches working in the school system participated in the study. Moderated mediation analyses were conducted to test the research model, and results indicated that the data fit the model well and supported all hypotheses. Specifically, the study verified the hypotheses related to the importance of contextual conditions in burnout development (i.e. burnout caused by job stress consistent with ERI) and personal characteristics that regulate these conditions (i.e. over-commitment as the enhancing moderator and coaching efficacy as the buffering moderator consistent with DC). The findings suggest that addressing the social system (i.e. ERI) in which burnout develops and individual responses (i.e. DC) is crucial to prevent burnout among sport coaches.