Perceptions of a caring and task-involving climate with athletes' perceived social support and optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

In the Spring of 2020, the novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) was officially declared a global pandemic which prompted an unprecedented number of changes to societal functioning. Amongst those who experienced signific life alterations were that of collegiate athletes within the United States. The following two studies provide an in-depth examination of athlete experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 1 investigates the relationship between athletes' perceptions of their team motivational climate with their perceived support from coaches and teammates as well as their optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results revealed significant and positive associations between a caring and task-involving (CTI) team climate with athletes' perceptions of support from coaches and teammates as well as their optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic, while an ego-involving (EI) team climate was significantly and negatively associated with perceptions of support from coaches and teammates as well as optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the final mediation model suggests that perceived support from coaches and teammates act as an indirect effect between perceptions of a CTI climate and athletes' optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results also suggest athletes' gender may influence outcomes, with men athletes reporting significantly more optimistic thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic than women athletes. Further, results revealed a significant difference between women and men in the relationships between perceptions of a CTI climate with EI climate and EI climate with support from teammates. Study 2 uses the findings of Study 1 to provide applicable strategies coaches and administrators can use to create a CTI climate for their athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Specifically, four recommendations are suggested including support athletes in sport and life;make athletes' health a priority;sustain motivation and encourage optimism;and help teammates stay connected to each other. Each recommendation is accompanied with specific strategies coaches can use to support the recommendation. The goal of the combined studies is to provide empirical evidence of the impact a CTI climate can have during high-stress times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as key information on how coaches can help create a CTI climate for their teams to help athletes cope with such stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)