A1 Journal article (refereed)
The role of gender and coaching styles in adolescent student-athletes’ motivational orientations in sport and school (2023)

Saarinen, M., Tolvanen, A., Aunola, K., & Ryba, T. V. (2023). The role of gender and coaching styles in adolescent student-athletes’ motivational orientations in sport and school. Current Psychology, 42, 22881-22892. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03352-z

JYU authors or editors

Saarinen, Milla
Tolvanen, Asko
Aunola, Kaisa
Ryba, Tatiana

Publication details

All authors or editors: Saarinen, Milla; Tolvanen, Asko; Aunola, Kaisa; Ryba, Tatiana V.

Journal or series: Current Psychology

ISSN: 1046-1310

eISSN: 1936-4733

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 06/07/2022

Volume: 42

Pages range: 22881-22892

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03352-z

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82660

Abstract

Research indicates that the dominant discourses of gender are ingrained in dual career (DC) practices critically influencing athletes’ motivation to construct a DC pathway. While it is important to ensure that all athletes have an equal access to construct a DC pathway despite their gender, there is a gap in the literature examining the role that coaches play in gendering of athletes’ DC pathways. The present study longitudinally examined the gender differences in student-athletes’ motivational orientations in sport and academics throughout high school and the role of coaching style in these orientations. The gender differences in coaching styles in terms of student-athletes’ gender, coaches’ gender, and their interaction were also investigated. The sample consisted of 248 student-athletes from six upper secondary sport schools across Finland. The participants filled in questionnaires at the beginning of the first year and at the end of the third year of upper secondary sport school. The results showed that female student-athletes demonstrated higher levels of mastery orientation than males in both sport and school domains. Affective coaching style predicted male student-athletes’ mastery orientation in sport and both male and female student-athletes’ mastery orientation in school. Finally, female coaches were reported using more of an affective coaching style than male coaches. The results suggest that athletes benefit differently from an affective coaching style based on their gender and that it is beneficial to educate coaches how to use an affective coaching style with their DC athletes.

Keywords: athletes; top athletes; career development; gender; gender roles; coaching; coaches (occupations); motivation (mental objects); equality (values); affectivity