Campus Location
Abilene Campus (Residential)
Date of Award
12-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Communication
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Committee Chair or Primary Advisor
J. D. Wallace
Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor
Joseph Cardot
Third Committee Member or Committee Reader
Jonathan W. Camp
Abstract
Through the use of the self-determination theory (SDT), developed by Edward L. Deci and Richard M. Ryan (2000), this study examined the various coaching styles and the relationship between both coaches’ and athletes’ identity. Thirty-two head coaches and 202 athletes from universities and colleges were surveyed. Coaches were matched with their athletes, producing 28 unique pairings. The first research question tested for coaching styles and how they connect to motivations. The second research question explored the coaching styles and how they relate to athletes’ motivations. A hypothesis examined differences between coaches’ reported coaching styles and their athletes’ needs. Results found that both coaches and athletes reported more internal motivations related to their needs and styles. Related factors found a significant difference between coaches’ competence and autonomy and athletes’ competence and autonomy. Implications for the athlete-coach relationship, their communication, and SDT in sports are discussed.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Huff, Casey-May, "Coaching Styles, Athletes' Needs Satisfaction, and Identity: An Analysis of Athlete-Coach Relationship" (2019). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 175.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/175