Quality of coach-athlete relationship and coping as associated factors of stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression symptoms of soccer players in transition to professional: a prospective study

Adson Alves Da Silva,Leandro Paim Da Cruz Carvalho,Leonardo De Sousa Fortes,José Roberto Andrade Do Nascimento Júnior,José Fernando Vila Nova De Moraes,Rodrigo Gustavo Da Silva Carvalho

doi:10.1590/s1980-657420220008421

Abstract

Aims: The present study investigated the quality of coach-athlete relationship (CAR) and coping as associated factors stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression symptoms of soccer players in the transition to professional. Methods: Twenty-three athletes from four teams of the 2019 under-20 Bahia State Championship participated in the study. The instruments used were the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, the Coping Strategic Athletic Inventory, the Daily Analysis of Life Demands in Athletes, the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2R, the Burnout Questionnaire for Athletes, and the Major Depression Inventory. Data analysis was conducted using Generalized Estimation Equations, Pearson’s Correlation, and Linear Multiple Regression (p < 0.05). Results: Our findings show that from the beginning to the end of the season, CAR and coping strategies were predictors of psychic occurrences. For CAR, the symptoms of anxiety associated with self-confidence and stress symptoms were predicted by Proximity and Complementarity, respectively. As for coping strategies, only the symptoms of stress were predicted by the dimension of facing adversity. Conclusion: From the beginning to the end of the season, the magnitude of the predicting factors over some psychopathologies is enhanced in youth soccer players going through a career transition stage.

Highlights

Playing in elite soccer is a reality only possible to a strict part of athletes since only 1% of young players become professional ones[1]
The present study investigated the predictive role of the quality of the coach-athlete relationship (CAR) and strategies of coping on the symptoms of stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression in U20 soccer athletes from the beginning to the end of the season
Considering the results found in the present study, it was possible to conclude that the predictive power of CAR and coping on stress and anxiety was increased throughout the season, indicating a higher dependence of a good relationship with the coach and functional use of coping strategies to attenuate the symptoms of these psychic occurrences

Summary

Introduction

Playing in elite soccer is a reality only possible to a strict part of athletes since only 1% of young players become professional ones[1]. This occurs due to intense training loads, distance from family and friends, dropping out of studies, limitation of social activities, parents’ expectations, risk of injuries and ability to manage stress and anxiety[2]. The last stage that precedes professional soccer is the under-20 category (U-20), which is a transition phase in which high performance is a common demand It is characterized by an unstable period, and with a great emotional load for athletes[4]. Considering the challenges of this stage, training programs are developed to improve the psychological, physical, physiological, technical, and tactical aspects of the athletes[5]

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Discussion

Conclusion