Coach-athlete relationships and life skills development among Brazilian handball players: A prospective study / Relaciones entrenador-atleta y desarrollo de habilidades para la vida entre jugadores brasileños de balonmano: un estudio prospectivo

This study was to examine the prospective associations between coach-athlete relationship (CAR) and life skills development in youth handball players. This study employed a longitudinal research design. A total of 78 male handball players completed the Life Skills Scale for Sport and the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire over three waves of data collection: start of the season; midseason and end of the season. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance Pearson’s Correlation and Linear Multiple Regression (p<.05). The findings indicated the three dimensions of CAR seem to have higher effect on life skills subscales as the season progressed (i.e., higher effect on life skills at T3 compared to T2 and T1). Commitment and Complementarity were positively associated with several life skills subscales at all three timepoints. Results suggest that the quality of the CAR is an important determinant for the de-velopment of life skills in youth handball players across the sports season. (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar las posibles asociaciones entre la relación entrena-dor-atleta (CAR) y el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida en jugadores juveniles de balon-mano. Este estudio empleó un diseño de investigación longitudinal. Un total de 78 jugadores masculinos de balonmano completaron la Escala de Habilidades para la Vida Deportiva y la Es-cala de Entrenadores. Cuestionario sobre la relación con los atletas en tres oleadas de recopi-lación de datos: inicio de la temporada; mitad de temporada y final de temporada. Los datos se analizaron mediante análisis multivariado de varianza, correlación de Pearson y regresión lineal múltiple (p<0,05). Los hallazgos indicaron que las tres dimensiones de CAR parecen te-ner un mayor efecto en las subescalas de habilidades para la vida a medida que avanzaba la temporada (es decir, un mayor efecto sobre las habilidades para la vida en T3 en comparación con T2 y T1). El compromiso y la complementariedad se asociaron positivamente con varias subescalas de habilidades para la vida en los tres momentos. Los resultados sugieren que la ca-lidad del CAR es un determinante importante para el desarrollo de habilidades para la vida en jugadores juveniles de balonmano a lo largo de la temporada deportiva. (AU)

Creating the conditions for psychological safety and its impact on quality coach-athlete relationships.

In this study, we investigated the notion that giving voice to athletes is an important aspect to creating a psychologically safe environment which can then feed into maintaining good quality coach-athlete relationships where every athlete feels heard, valued, and connected. 379 athletes completed a multi-section questionnaire that assessed their (a) capacity to be open and manage conflict with their coaches, (b) perceptions of psychological safety within their team or group, and (c) perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship quality. Structural equation modelling revealed that openness and conflict management positively predicted psychological safety which, in turn, positively predicted coach-athlete relationship quality. Psychological safety was found to explain the association between athletes' communication (i.e., capacity to be open, honest and transparent as well as manage interpersonal conflict effectively) and coach-athlete relationship quality regardless of athletes' gender. These findings highlighted that if athletes have the capacity to have candid discussions and can navigate conflict with their coaches, then it is possible to feel psychologically safe and thus able to engage in risky interpersonal interactions (e.g., raise concerns, admit mistakes) within their group context without fear of intimidation and humiliation. Furthermore, it was revealed that such a psychologically safe group environment fostered athletes' trust and respect, as well as commitment and cooperation with their coach. The discussion provides links to theory, research and practice.

Teacher-Student relationship quality as a barometer of teaching and learning effectiveness: Conceptualization and measurement.

BACKGROUND: The Teacher-Student relationship (TSR) is instrumental for young children and adolescents' socio-emotional development and wellbeing as well as academic engagement and progress. AIMS: The primary aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties, including reliability and factorial, convergent, and predictive validity, of the Teacher-Student Relationship Quality Questionnaire (TSRQ-Q) with two samples of students. SAMPLE(S): Participants were 294 students from secondary schools in the East Midlands and the East of England. Participants were separated into two samples; those who completed the TSRQ-Q with their physical education teacher in mind (n = 150 students) and those who completed it with their mathematics teacher in mind (n = 144 students). METHOD: A multi-section questionnaire comprised of the TSRQ-Q and other validated measures was completed on one occasion by students in both samples to assess their perceptions of the quality of the TSR, positive and negative affect, intrinsic motivation, physical self-concept, enjoyment, and perceived competence. RESULTS: In both samples, the TSRQ-Q demonstrated good internal consistency, factorial, convergent, and predictive validity. The quality of the TSR had both direct and indirect effects through positive affect on student outcomes in mathematics and physical education. CONCLUSIONS: The TSRQ-Q is a valid measure for assessing students' perceptions of the quality of the relationship with their teacher. The conceptual and practical significance of this unique relationship was reflected by its dual pathway effect on a range of student outcomes and via influencing students' positive affect in the classroom.

Coach leadership in a crisis context: Investigating effective coach behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic with a process view.

Introduction: Drawing from the crisis leadership conceptualization, this study aims to investigate coaches' opinion patterns on effective leadership behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study used a process view to explore how coaches as leaders act in pre, during, and post-crisis phases. Method: Thirty-two fulltime professional coaches (28 males and 4 females) from individual and team sports who experienced the entire COVID-19 pandemic from January 2020 to July 2021 in the United Kingdom were invited to express their perceptions of effective leadership behaviors. The study used Q methodology to analyze coaches' perceptions and experiences. Result: The study revealed that the most effective coach leadership behaviors occurred during-crisis phase, which has the most positive ratings (n = 48) compared to the pre-and post-crisis phases (n = 18). The study's main findings highlighted different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic demand various effective countermeasures from coaches. These practical and successful experiences were summarized as: division of labor, athlete-centered, team-driven, consulting, safe environment, and online coaching. Discussion: The findings of this study further highlight (1) the importance of coach leadership in creating a safe environment as it provides a much better platform to prepare for a pre-crisis stage, (2) that coaches should employ more positive than negative behaviors while interacting with team members more frequently especially during the crisis period, reducing athletes' negative feelings such as anxiety and worry, and (3) that the online training-related activities and interactions during the crisis time can be expanded to noncrisis times, as a crisis event can have positive implications for the future if handled properly.

The role of quality relationships and communication strategies for the fulfilment of secure and insecure athletes' basic psychological needs.

The correlates of coach-athlete relationship quality have been the focus of research for over a decade; however, little is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying these associations. The present study conducted a moderated mediation analysis to examine (a) the mediating role of communication strategies (via COMPASS) on the association between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athlete psychological needs satisfaction and (b) whether individual differences in athletes' attachment style (secure, anxious, avoidant) moderates the mediational relationship. 350 Swedish athletes representing a range of sports and competition levels completed a multi-section questionnaire. Mediation and moderation analysis partially found that coach-athlete relationship quality and athletes basic psychological needs were associated via the COMPASS strategies of support, motivation, assurance and openness. It was also found that athletes secure attachment with their coach significantly moderated the mediated effects of motivation and support. These findings highlight the practical utility of motivation, support, openness and assurance strategies in enhancing the quality of the coach-athlete relationship. Moreover, these findings demonstrate that the attachment orientation of athletes towards their coaches play a significant role in determining what communication strategies to use to enhance both the relationship quality and an athlete's competence, autonomy and relatedness.

The Validation of Direct and Meta Versions of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (ArCART-Q) in the Arabic Language: Their Relationship to Athlete's Satisfaction with Individual Performance.

Background: The first aim of this study is to achieve validation of the direct and meta-perspective versions of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire in the Arabic language, and the second aim of this study is to determine the quality of the coach-athlete relationship to athlete' satisfaction with individual performance according to sport participation type, sport duration, and sport achievement. Methods: A total of 259 athletes with a mean age of 22 years were recruited from various athletic clubs in Kuwait. Participants completed The Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire and The Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire. For this study, the factorial structure of the Arabic version of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) was used in Kuwait and was prepared with both direct and meta perspectives. Results: The results of this study show evidence of the validity of the direct and meta-perspective Arabic versions of the CART-Q. The fit indices of the data collected by direct-method were as follows (x2/df = 2.21; RMSEA = 0.06; CFI = 0.98; GFI = 0.95; AGFI = 0.91); data for the meta-method were as follows (x2/df = 2.32; RMSEA = 0.08; CFI = 0.99; GFI = 0.93; AGFI = 0.87). Female participants have obtained higher means than males from all questionnaires. Conclusions: The results of the present study could help coaches and athletes from the Middle East to understand the reasons and methods that lead to a quality coach-athlete relationship.

Communication Strategies: The Fuel for Quality Coach-Athlete Relationships and Athlete Satisfaction.

The present two-study paper examined the role of communication strategies that athletes use to develop their coach-athlete relationship. Study 1 examined the mediating role of motivation, support, and conflict management strategies between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athletes' perceptions of sport satisfaction. Study 2 examined the longitudinal and mediational associations of communication strategies and relationship quality across two time points, over a 6-week period. Within both studies, data were collected through multi-section questionnaires assessing the studies' variables. For study 1, structural equation modeling highlighted significant indirect effects for motivation and support strategies between the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athletes' experiences of sport satisfaction. For study 2, significant indirect effects were found for the athletes' perceptions of the quality of the coach-athlete relationship at time 2 between athletes' use of communication strategies at time point 1 and time point 2. Together these findings provide support for the practical utility of communications strategies in enhancing the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and athlete's experiences of sport satisfaction. In addition, the findings provide evidence to highlight the potential cyclical relationship between communication and relationship quality across time.

On understanding the nature of interpersonal conflict between coaches and athletes.

Conflict is a part of coach-athlete relationships and should be carefully considered as it can have effects on the quality of coaching and the level of performance. Despite its practical relevance, there is a dearth of research around coach-athlete conflict. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the characteristics and topics of conflict, as well as coaches and athletes' emotional, cognitive and behavioural experiences during conflict. A total of 22 independent coaches and athletes participated in semi-structured interviews evolving around the nature of interpersonal conflict. After all interviews were transcribed, a deductive-inductive content analysis was conducted. This was guided by the interview schedule as well as the by the conceptual framework of conflict in sport relationships (Wachsmuth, Jowett, & Harwood, 2017). Data were divided into five main categories: Conflict characteristics and conflict topics, as well as conflict cognitions, emotions, and behaviours. Findings highlighted the variety of ways in which participants understood and interpreted interpersonal conflict and how their impressions of conflict influenced its evolving process. Considering the participants' cognitive, emotional and behavioural expressions of conflict, it became apparent that conflict can be described through uncertain, escalating and problem-orientated responses. Practical applications concerning (mal-) adaptive responses to conflict are discussed. (199/200).

Alcohol consumption, masculinity, and alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour in sportspeople.

OBJECTIVES: There is no research examining alcohol-related aggression and anti-social behaviour in UK or European sportspeople (athletes), and no research has examined relationships between masculinity, alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related aggression and antisocial behaviour in sportspeople (athletes). This study addresses this gap. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: A sample (N=2048; women=892, 44%) of in season sportspeople enrolled at UK universities (response 83%), completed measures of masculinity, alcohol consumption, within-sport (on-field) violence, and having been the perpetrator and/or victim of alcohol-related violent/aggressive and antisocial behaviour (e.g., hit/assaulted, vandalism, sexual assault). Logistic regressions examined predictors of alcohol-related violence/aggression and anti-social behaviours. RESULTS: Significant bivariate relationships between masculinity, within-sport violence, alcohol consumption, and alcohol-related aggression and anti-social behaviour were found for both men and women (p's<.001). Logistic regression adjusting for all variables showed that higher levels of masculinity and alcohol consumption in men and women were related to an increased odds of having conducted an aggressive, violent and/or anti-social act in the past 12 months when intoxicated. Odds ratios were largest for relationships between masculinity, alcohol consumption, within-sport violence, and interpersonal violence/aggression (p's<.001). A similar pattern of results was found for having been the victim of aggression and anti-social behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-related aggression and anti-social behaviour appear to be problematic in UK university sportspeople, and is related to masculinity and excessive drinking. Interventions that reduce excessive alcohol consumption, masculine norms and associated within-sport violence, could be effective in reducing alcohol-related aggression and antisocial behaviour in UK sportspeople.

Coaching effectiveness: the coach-athlete relationship at its heart.

Coaching has been often viewed as a context within which coaches operate to largely bring about changes in athlete's performance and wellbeing. One key factor to successful outcomes in coaching is the quality of the relationship between coaches and athletes. In this article, I propose that the coach-athlete relationship is at the heart of coaching. Moreover, the aim is to describe and explain how the quality of the relationship coaches and athletes develop and maintain over the course of their sporting partnership alongside coaches and athletes' knowledge and outcomes, form a system that is capable of defining coaching effectiveness and success.

Validating the TDRT-Q to assess the quality of the teacher-dancer relationship / Validar el TDRT-Q para evaluar la calidad de la relación profesor-bailarín / Validando o TDRT-Q para avaliar a qualidade do relacionamento professor-dançarino

La capacidad de los entrenadores para potenciar o desincentivar el compromiso de sus deportistas y para desarrollar su potencial a través de la cualidad de las relaciones que entre ellos se establecen ha recibido una considerable atención desde la investigación; sin embargo, la diada equivalente en el contexto de la danza, la relación entre el maestro y el bailarín, ha sido un área relativamente poco explorada. El propósito de este artículo es extrapolar el modelo de las 3C’s de las Relaciones Entrenador-Deportista de Jowett al contexto de la danza y adaptar y validar al español el CART-Q, un instrumento ampliamente utilizado para la evaluación de las relaciones deportista-entrenador. Para ello, 175 bailarines y bailarinas españoles de entre 18 y 40 años (M = 22.47; DT = 4.85) de diferentes niveles y disciplinas de baile completaron el denominado Cuestionario sobre las Relaciones entre Maestro y Bailarín (TDRT-Q), la traducción española del CART-Q adaptado al contexto de la danza. El análisis factorial confirmatorio puso de manifiesto la estructura jerárquica de las relaciones como habían sido originalmente postuladas, incluyendo las dimensiones de Cercanía, Compromiso y Complementariedad. En términos generales, el TDRT-Q demostró unas adecuadas propiedades psicométricas. En línea con los resultados obtenidos, el modelo de las 3C’s puede ser transferido para el análisis de las relaciones maestro-bailarín. Más aún, el TDRT-Q puede utilizarse para la evaluación de la cualidad de las relaciones maestro-bailarín y para avanzar en el conocimiento y comprensión de este contexto artístico orientado al rendimiento (AU)

The capacity of coaches to enable or disable athletes’ engagement and ability to reach their potential through the quality of the relationship they develop with them has received substantial research attention, yet the equivalent dyad in dance contexts-the teacher-dancer relationship-has remained relatively unexplored. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to extrapolate Jowett’s 3C’s Coach-Athlete Relationship Model to the dance context and adapt and validate a Spanish translation of the CART-Q, a psychometric tool that has been extensively used to assess the coach-athlete relationship, to examine the teacher-dancer relationship. 175 Spanish dancers aged 18 to 40 (M = 22.47, SD = 4.85) of diverse performance levels and various dance disciplines completed the renamed Teacher-Dancer Relationship Questionnaire (TDRT-Q), the Spanish translation of the CART-Q adapted to dance contexts. A confirmatory factor analysis highlighted the hierarchical nature of the relationship as has been originally postulated containing Closeness, Commitment, and Complementarity. Overall the TDRT-Q demonstrated adequate psychometric properties. In line with these results, the 3C’s model can be transferred to analyse the teacher-dancer relationship. Moreover, the TDRT-Q can be used to assess the quality of the teacher-dancer relationship and further advance knowledge and understanding in this achievement-orientated performing arts context (AU)

A capacidade dos técnicos para potencializar ou desencorajar o compromisso de seus atletas e para desenvolver o potencial dos mesmos através da qualidade das relações que se estabelecem entre ambos tem recebido considerável atenção da investigação; no entanto, a díade equivalente no contexto da dança, a relação entre o professor e o dançarino, tem sido uma área relativamente pouco explorada. O propósito deste artigo é extrapolar o modelo dos 3C’s das Relações Treinador-Atleta de Jowett ao contexto da dança e adaptar e validar ao espanhol o CART-Q, um instrumento amplamente utilizado para a avaliação das relações atleta-treinador. Para tanto, 175 dançarinos e dançarinas espanhóis entre 18 e 40 anos (M = 22.47; DT = 4.85) de diferentes níveis e disciplinas de dança responderam o denominado Questionário sobre as Relações entre Professor e Dançarino (TDRT-Q), a tradução espanhola do CART-Q adaptado ao contexto da dança. A análise fatorial confirmatória revelou a estrutura hierárquica das relações como haviam sido originalmente postuladas, incluindo as dimensões de Proximidade, Compromisso e Complementaridade. Em termos gerais, o TDRT-Q demonstrou propriedades psicométricas adequadas. Em linha com os resultados obtidos, o modelo dos 3C’s pode ser transferido para a análise das relações professor-dançarino. Além disso, o TDRT-Q pode ser utilizado para a avaliação da qualidade das relações professor-dançarino e para avançar no conhecimento e na compreensão deste contexto artístico orientado ao rendimento (AU)

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Brazilian coach-athlete relationship questionnaire (CART-Q) - Athlete Version / Adaptação transcultural e propriedades psicométricas do questionário de relacionamento treinador-atleta brasileiro (CART-Q) – Versão atleta

Abstract The aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) - Athlete Version. For this, three studies were performed. In the first, four translators and five experts in Sport Psychology adapted the CART-Q contents to the Brazilian context. In the second, 364 athletes of individual and collective sports answered the adapted version of CART-Q. In the third, an independent sample of 185 athletes answered the CART-Q and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) to analyze the external validity of the instrument; and 50 athletes answered the CART-Q in two distinct moments for the analysis of the temporal stability. Study 1 showed that the Portuguese version contains clear and relevant questions (CVC> 0.80). Study 2 showed that the CART-Q presents satisfactory internal consistency (α> 0.70 / CC> 0.70). The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model with 11 items showed good fit [X2/gl = 3.03; CFI = 0.96, GFI = 0.94; TLI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.08] and also the existence of the second-order model. Study 3 showed the external (r> 0.40 with variable task orientation) and internal validity (CFA with an independent sample) and temporal stability (ICC> 0.70). It was concluded that the Brazilian version for of CART-Q proved to be valid to evaluate the perception of athletes about their relationship with the coach in the Brazilian sports context.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi testar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q)-Versão Atleta. Para isso, foram realizados três estudos. No primeiro, quatro tradutores e cinco especialistas em Psicologia do Esporte adaptaram o conteúdo do CART-Q para o contexto brasileiro. No segundo, 364 atletas de modalidades esportivas individuais e coletivas responderam a versão adaptada do CART-Q. No terceiro, uma amostra independente de 185 atletas respondeu o CART-Q e o Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ) para a análise da validade externa do instrumento; e 50 atletas responderam o CART-Q em dois momentos para a análise da estabilidade temporal. O Estudo 1 evidenciou que a versão em português contém questões claras e relevantes (CVC > 0,80). O Estudo 2 revelou que o CART-Q apresenta consistência interna satisfatória ( α > 0,70/CC > 0,70). A análise fatorial confirmatória revelou que o modelo com 11 itens apresentou ajuste adequado [X2/gl = 3,03; CFI = 0,96, GFI = 0,94; TLI = 0,94; RMSEA = 0,08] e também a existência do modelo de segunda ordem. O Estudo 3 evidenciou a validade externa (r>0,40 com as variáveis de orientação à tarefa) e interna (AFC com uma amostra independente), além da estabilidade temporal (ICC > 0,70). Concluiu-se que a versão para a língua portuguesa do CART-Q se mostrou válida para avaliar a percepção do atleta sobre sua relação com o treinador no contexto esportivo brasileiro.

Alcohol industry sponsorship and hazardous drinking in UK university students who play sport.

AIM: To examine whether receipt of alcohol industry sponsorship is associated with problematic drinking in UK university students who play sport. METHODS: University students (n = 2450) participating in sports were invited to complete a pen-and-paper questionnaire by research staff approaching them at sporting facilities and in university settings. Respondents were asked whether they, personally, their team and/or their club were currently in receipt of sponsorship (e.g. money, free or subsidized travel or sporting products) from an alcohol-related industry (e.g. bars, liquor stores, wholesalers), and whether they had solicited the sponsorship. Drinking was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 2048 of those approached (response rate = 83%). Alcohol industry sponsorship was reported by 36% of the sample. After accounting for confounders (age, gender, disposable income and location) in multivariable models, receipt of alcohol sponsorship by a team (adjusted ßadj = 0.41, P = 0.013), club (ßadj = 0.73, P = 0.017), team and club (ßadj = 0.79, P = 0.002) and combinations of individual and team or club sponsorships (ßadj = 1.27, P < 0.002) were each associated with significantly higher AUDIT-consumption substance scores. Receipt of sponsorship by team and club [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.04; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-3.99] and combinations of individual and team or club sponsorships (aOR = 4.12; 95% CI = 1.29-13.15) were each associated with increased odds of being classified a hazardous drinker (AUDIT score >8). Respondents who sought out sponsorship were not at greater risk than respondents, or whose teams or clubs, had been approached by the alcohol industry. CONCLUSIONS: University students in the United Kingdom who play sport and who personally receive alcohol industry sponsorship or whose club or team receives alcohol industry sponsorship appear to have more problematic drinking behaviour than UK university students who play sport and receive no alcohol industry sponsorship. Policy to reduce or cease such sponsorship should be considered.

Eating psychopathology as a risk factor for depressive symptoms in a sample of British athletes.

Within the clinical literature it is accepted that there is a strong connection between eating disorders and depression; however the nature of the casual relationship is somewhat unclear. Therefore the aim of the present study was to determine the prospective relationship between eating psychopathology and depressive symptoms among competitive British athletes. A total of 122 athletes completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the depression subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90R over a 6-month period. Partial correlations revealed that when controlling for baseline eating psychopathology, athletes' baseline depressive symptoms was not related to their eating psychopathology 6 months later. However, when controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, athletes' initial eating psychopathology was positively and significantly related to depressive symptoms 6 months later. Subsequent hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed athletes' initial levels of eating psychopathology significantly predicted depressive symptoms 6 months later. The current findings support the assertion that elevated eating psychopathology serves as a potential risk factor for the development of depression in athletes. Thus, National Governing Bodies, athletic clubs, sport organisations and universities need to recognise and be aware that exposure to the factors that increase the risk of eating disorders inadvertently serves to increase athletes' vulnerability for depression.

Coach-athlete attachment and the quality of the coach-athlete relationship: implications for athlete's well-being.

This study examined whether athletes' attachment styles with the coach were linked to aspects of the coach-athlete relationship quality and, in turn, whether relationship quality was linked to athletes' well-being. One hundred and ninety-two athletes completed a questionnaire measuring their attachment styles and relationship quality with the coach as well as their feelings of positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis found athletes' avoidant and secure attachment styles to be associated with aspects of coach-athlete relationship quality such as social support, relationship depth, and interpersonal conflict. Interpersonal conflict appeared to play a key role in athletes' PA and NA. From a practical perspective, an understanding of conflict management could provide a resource that allows athletes (and coaches) to enhance the quality of their sporting relationships. Specifically, an awareness of proactive strategies (e.g., steps to clarify expectations) and reactive strategies (e.g., cooperation during the discussion of disagreements) could potentially lead both coaches and athletes to "broaden" their viewpoints and in turn "build" connections that are capable of generating positive emotions including interest, excitement, happiness, and zeal.

Passion: Does one scale fit all? Construct validity of two-factor passion scale and psychometric invariance over different activities and languages.

The passion scale, based on the dualistic model of passion, measures 2 distinct types of passion: Harmonious and obsessive passions are predictive of adaptive and less adaptive outcomes, respectively. In a substantive-methodological synergy, we evaluate the construct validity (factor structure, reliability, convergent and discriminant validity) of Passion Scale responses (N = 3,571). The exploratory structural equation model fit to the data was substantially better than the confirmatory factor analysis solution, and resulted in better differentiated (less correlated) factors. Results from a 13-model taxonomy of measurement invariance supported complete invariance (factor loadings, factor correlations, item uniquenesses, item intercepts, and latent means) over language (French vs. English; the instrument was originally devised in French, then translated into English) and gender. Strong measurement partial invariance over 5 passion activity groups (leisure, sport, social, work, education) indicates that the same set of items is appropriate for assessing passion across a wide variety of activities--a previously untested, implicit assumption that greatly enhances practical utility. Support was found for the convergent and discriminant validity of the harmonious and obsessive passion scales, based on a set of validity correlates: life satisfaction, rumination, conflict, time investment, activity liking and valuation, and perceiving the activity as a passion.

An attachment theory perspective in the examination of relational processes associated with coach-athlete dyads.

The aim of the current study was to examine actor and partner effects of (a) athletes' and coaches' attachment styles (avoidant and anxious) on the quality of the coach-athlete relationship, and (b) athletes' and coaches' quality of the coach-athlete relationship on relationship satisfaction employing the actor-partner interdependence model (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006). Coaches (N = 107) and athletes (N = 107) completed a questionnaire related to attachment styles, relationship quality, and relationship satisfaction. Structural equation model analyses revealed (a) actor effects for coaches' and athletes' avoidant attachment styles on their own perception of relationship quality and coaches' and athletes' perception of relationship quality on their own perception of relationship satisfaction, and (b) partner effects for athletes' avoidant attachment style on coaches' perceptions of relationship quality and for coaches' perceptions of relationship quality on athletes' perceptions of relationship satisfaction. The findings highlight that attachments styles can help us understand the processes involved in the formation and maintenance of quality relational bonds between coaches and athletes.

The mediating role of social environmental factors in the associations between attachment styles and basic needs satisfaction.

The present study aimed to explore the mediating role of social factors on the associations between attachment styles and basic psychological needs satisfaction within two relational contexts. Athletes (N = 215) completed a multi-section questionnaire pertaining to attachment styles, basic needs satisfied within the coaching and the parental relational context, and such social factors as social support, interpersonal conflict, autonomy and controlling behaviours. Bootstrap mediation analysis revealed that the association between avoidant attachment style and basic needs satisfaction with the coach was mediated by social support and autonomy-related behaviours from the coach. The association between avoidant attachment style and basic needs satisfaction with the parent on the other hand was mediated by all social factors investigated. Finally, the association between anxious attachment style and basic needs satisfaction from the parent was mediated by conflict and controlling behaviours. Overall, the findings of the current study suggest that social factors play an important role in explaining the associations between attachment styles and basic needs satisfaction within two central relational contexts athletes operate in, and thus should be targeted in future interventions.

Eating psychopathology amongst athletes: links to current attachment styles.

The aims of the study were two-fold; first to determine the associations between current attachment styles, and eating psychopathology amongst athletes, and second to simultaneously assess the mediating effects of self-esteem, perfectionism, and depression in this association. Four hundred and eleven British athletes completed self-report instruments pertaining to eating psychopathology, attachment styles, self-esteem, depression, and perfectionism. Athletes who scored highly on both avoidant and anxious attachment styles, reported elevated eating psychopathology scores. However, such associations were indirect and mediated via athletes' levels of self-esteem, self-critical perfectionism, and depression, with self-esteem and depression identified as more salient mediators than self-critical perfectionism. The current findings provide evidence to suggest that insecure attachment styles influence athletes' eating psychopathology via their impact on self-esteem, depression, and self-critical perfectionism. Moreover, self-esteem and depression may play more significant role in transferring the impact of insecure attachment styles on elevated eating psychopathology.

Passion in sport: on the quality of the coach-athlete relationship.

Vallerand et al. (2003) developed a dualistic model of passion, wherein two types of passion are proposed: harmonious (HP) and obsessive (OP) passion that predict adaptive and less adaptive interpersonal outcomes, respectively. In the present research, we were interested in understanding the role of passion in the quality of coach-athlete relationships. Results of Study 1, conducted with athletes (N=157), revealed that HP positively predicts a high-quality coach-athlete relationship, whereas OP was largely unrelated to such relationships. Study 2 was conducted with coaches (N=106) and showed that only HP positively predicted the quality of the coach-athlete relationship. Furthermore, these effects were fully mediated by positive emotions. Finally, the quality of the coach-athlete relationship positively predicted coaches' subjective well-being. Future research directions are discussed in light of the dualistic model of passion.