Assessing Burnout in Subgroups of Athletes Based on Gratitude and Perceived Coach-Athlete Relationship

Bibliographic Data

ID13670748
AuthorsMariya A Yukhymenko–Lescroart (0000-0002-0054-6666, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA, corresponding author), Jeffrey B Ruser (Indiana University), Nicole T Gabana (Department of Athletics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA), Jenelle N Gilbert (Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA)
Year2021
Volume125
Issue2
Pages964-985
Publication date2021-02-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0033294121991837
PMID33554760
OpenAlexW3126567637
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited25

The purpose of this study was to examine distinct groups of athletes based on their gratitude and coach-athlete relationships (CAR) and to compare the groups on three dimensions of athlete burnout: sense of reduced accomplishment, emotional and physical exhaustion, and sport devaluation. Types of gratitude measured included general trait gratitude, general state gratitude, and sport state gratitude. Cluster analysis with 576 intercollegiate athletes showed four distinct groups: "ungrateful in life and sport, and disconnected from the coach" (Group 1), "highly grateful in life and sport, and well-connected with the coach" (Group 2), "generally less grateful in life, but connected with the coach" (Group 3), and "generally grateful in life, but disconnected from the coach" (Group 4). Group 1 reported the highest levels of burnout. In contrast, Group 2 reported the lowest levels of burnout. Athletes in Groups 3 and 4 (which were similar on sport state gratitude, but differed on other indicators) reported moderate levels of burnout, but Group 4 athletes were more burned out than Group 3 athletes. Specifically, both groups reported similar levels of devaluation; yet, Group 4 scored higher on reduced sense of accomplishment and emotional/physical exhaustion than Group 3. Examination of group composition revealed that male athletes were overrepresented in Group 2 and underrepresented in Group 4, and Group 1 athletes tended to identify as non-religious. Taken together, findings point to the protective role that gratitude and a positive CAR may play in athlete burnout prevention

Athletes · Burnout · Gratitude · Physical therapy · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Resilience and Mental Health · Social Psychology · Youth Development and Social Support

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