Correlates of coach interpersonal behaviours: a self-determination theory perspective

This thesis is presented as a collection of four studies in which the correlates of coaches interpersonal behavioural styles are examined from a self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000) perspective. The majority of SDT-based research in the sport domain considers the impact of coaches autonomy supportive (and to a lesser extent, controlling) interpersonal behaviours on various athlete outcomes, such as basic psychological need satisfaction and psychological well-being. Nonetheless, the central propositions of SDT have yet to be examined in a coaching population. Perhaps more significantly, however, the precursors of these two interpersonal coaching styles have yet to be addressed. In addition, a third style of interpersonal behaviour, namely a laissez-faire style, has yet to be examined within the sport domain. Given the central influence that coaches have on athletes, it is of both theoretical and practical significance to uncover potential antecedents of autonomy supportive, controlling, and laissez-faire behaviours. The current thesis aims to address these limitations of the extant literature. Study One examined coaches basic psychological need satisfaction and psychological well-being as potential antecedents of coaches autonomy supportive and controlling behavioural styles. Incorporating elements of the coaches social context (i.e., opportunities for progression and training, job security, and work-life conflict), basic psychological need satisfaction and thwarting, and psychological well- and ill-being, Study Two explored whether separate processes explain coaches autonomy supportive and controlling interpersonal styles. Studies Three and Four focused specifically on the relationships between psychological health and interpersonal behaviours. Study Three longitudinally explored the within- and between-person effects of hedonic and eudaimonic indicators of well- and ill-being on coaches autonomy supportive and controlling interpersonal behaviours over an 11-month period. Study 4 utilised a dyadic design to explore coaches autonomy supportive, controlling and laissez-faire behaviours as mechanisms for well- and ill-being contagion from coach to athlete, and vice versa, across one training session. Overall, the findings of this thesis support the tenets of SDT by suggesting that elements of the coaching context impact upon coaches interpersonal behaviour through their basic psychological needs and psychological health as mediators. Moreover, coaches psychological well- and ill-being function as proximal predictors of the interpersonal style that they adopt, and as mechanisms for well- and ill-being contagion from coach to athlete.