Journal article
Associations of abusive supervision among collegiate athletes from equity-deserving groups
British journal of sports medicine, v 59(16), pp 1124-1134
01 Aug 2025
PMID: 40032295
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
To examine differences in abusive/supportive coach supervision experienced by collegiate athletes across race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and disability; determine the impact of coach characteristics on abusive supervision prevalence; and explore outcomes related to team culture, athlete autonomy, perceived coach leadership skills and perceived concern for athletes' well-being.
Cross-sectional analysis of the 2021-2022 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) myPlaybook survey on 3317 athletes (aged ≥18 years). The survey captured self-reported demographics, sport type (team vs individual, lean vs non-lean) and multiple validated measures reflecting abusive/supportive coaching styles. Structural equation modelling identified associations while controlling for confounders.
Overall, 18.6% (n=618) of athletes reported some form of abusive supervision. After adjusting for covariates, participating in team sport (OR=1.10, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.17) and having a disability (OR=1.17, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.31) were associated with higher odds of reporting abusive supervision. No significant differences were found based on athlete race/ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Coaches demonstrating attentiveness to athletes' needs (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.92) and respect for their input (OR=0.89, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.00) had lower odds of reported abusive supervision.
Nearly one-fifth of this NCAA cohort experienced abusive coach supervision. Disability and team sport participation were significantly associated with increased reports, whereas race/ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation showed no significant differences. In disabled and team sport athletes, sustained verbal/non-verbal abuse had a negative impact on athletes' perception of team culture, autonomy, coaches' leadership skills and coaches' concern for their well-being. Coaching and leadership styles remain critical educational targets for providing safe sport environments for all athletes.
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Details
- Title
- Associations of abusive supervision among collegiate athletes from equity-deserving groups
- Creators
- Edward B Runquist, 3rd - Drexel UniversityOluwasanmi O Adenaiye - University of PittsburghMojdeh Sarzaeim - Washington University in St. LouisJeffery Milroy - University of North Carolina at GreensboroDavid Wyrick - University of North Carolina at GreensboroYetsa A Tuakli-Wosornu - Yale University
- Publication Details
- British journal of sports medicine, v 59(16), pp 1124-1134
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Sports Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001583611100003
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-86000338307
- Other Identifier
- 991022197417004721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences