Abuse scandals in sport highlights need for ‘authentic and honest’ coaching

Recently a world-record breaking swimmer told BBC Panorama they had experienced bullying, a toxic training environment, and controlling food culture instilled by their coach which caused eating disorders and depression. In 2022 UK Athletics said it intended to “root out” coaches who should not be involved in the sport and all historical safeguarding cases were put under review. Whereas in British Gymnastics, coaches encouraged their athletes to train through injury, and used emotional and psychologically abuse for underperformance.

Following these allegations of toxic coaching culture, new research by Dr Philip Hurst, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Professor in Sport and Exercise Psychology Maria Kavussanu at the University of Birmingham, found new ways coaches can enhance their leadership and positively affect athlete wellbeing by centering honesty, transparency and consistency within coaching.

This style of coaching can help make athletes feel psychologically safe so athletes trust their coach, and feel safe to speak up, ask for help and share concerns so their mental health and performance can thrive.

The study, published in the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, found, the presence of abuse can disrupt this positive effect, underscoring an urgent need for sport organisations to foster not only authentic leadership, but for safer, more supportive environments for all.

Dr Hurst added: "To further maintain and support athlete well-being, coaches should create environments whereby athletes feel comfortable in communicating and can seek feedback, advice, or help without reprise.

"However, given that interpersonal violence may attenuate the beneficial effects of authentic leadership on athlete well-being via psychological safety, a need exists in developing and implementing effective prevention strategies that can protect and safeguard athletes from abuse and harassment in sport."

This work builds on Dr Hurst’s wider work investigating the long-term effects of abuse in sport, particularly among young British athletes in elite track and field.

This research, published in Taylor & Francis Journal of Sports Sciences, by Dr Hurst, Professor Dikaia Chatziefstathiou at Canterbury Christ Church University, and Ashley Stirling at the University of Toronto, measured the experiences of abuse in sport of 254 British junior elite track and field athletes.

Results found that nearly three-quarters experienced some form of abuse (74.4%) and nearly three-quarters of participants experienced psychological abuse (70.5%). Over half experienced neglect (50.8%) and around a third and a quarter of participants experienced physical (31.5%) and sexual abuse (24%).

While this research has examined the consequences of abuse, there is insufficient evidence that looks at what could help protect athletes’ well-being.

Dr Hurst commented on how sport practitioners and leaders can encourage safe environments for athletes.

“By focusing on creating psychologically safe environments, this may encourage athletes to feel confident in speaking out and being supported to address their concerns,” he said.

“Sport practitioners and leaders, such as coaches, managers and directors, should aim to develop cultures within their sport that promote psychological safety.

“Strategies to prevent and intervene in cases of abuse should be a focal point in an athlete’s club/team whereby they are appreciated for their effort and hard work, feel safe in taking risks, confident in speaking up about concerns and are comfortable in sharing challenges and raising questions.”

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