Student-athlete Disclosures of Psychological Distress: Exploring Experiences of University Coaches and Athletes

Student-athletes are noted to be a high-risk population for experiencing psychological distress, and varsity coaches have been identified as support providers for distressed athletes; however, little is known about the interactions between student-athletes and their coaches when athletes disclose psychological distress. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of student-athletes disclosing psychological distress to coaches from the perspectives of both athletes and coaches. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 student-athletes and 15 varsity coaches, and data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Results indicated that student-athletes faced barriers in disclosing distress and that the involvement of coaches in the disclosure process resulted in either a positive and negative athlete experience, depending on the support coaches provided. Findings provide insight into the role of coaches in supporting distressed student-athletes, how coaches can foster team cultures that support athlete disclosure, and guidelines for effective coach support.M.Sc