Protective factors for burnout and turnover intention in sports team coaches: Individual and environmental dynamics

Abstract

This research investigates the protective mechanisms against burnout and turnover intentions among sports team coaches, focusing on the interplay between environmental and individual psychological resources. Based on a structural model involving 320 coaches, the study explores how perceived social support from both within and outside the sporting environment influences psychological safety, job satisfaction, and mental well-being. The findings demonstrate that social support is a fundamental antecedent that significantly enhances psychological safety and buffers against the high-pressure demands of competitive coaching. Psychological safety, in particular, acts as a significant mediator, fostering a secure professional environment and thereby reducing the cognitive load and emotional exhaustion associated with performance-contingent job security. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that high levels of psychological resilience, job satisfaction, and overall well-being are negatively correlated with the intention to leave the profession. By integrating the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) and Conservation of Resources (COR) theories, the study highlights that external support systems are essential for cultivating the internal resilience necessary to mitigate burnout. Ultimately, the paper argues that sports organisations must prioritise the development of supportive and psychologically safe climates to ensure the long-term health and retention of coaching staff.