The case report of the impact of coach self-supportive behaviors on the communication effectiveness with depressed athletes: The mediating role of intrinsic motivation

Abstract

Rationale: Coach autonomy-supportive behaviors are a crucial factor in the communication effectiveness with athletes experiencing depressive moods. Therefore, clarifying the relationship between coach autonomy-supportive behaviors and the communication effectiveness with athletes experiencing depressive moods is of significant importance for promoting effective communication between coaches and athletes. This study employs in-depth interviews, questionnaires, and stepwise regression analysis, using purposive sampling to investigate coaches and athletes experiencing depressive moods from various regions, levels, genders, and sports in China. The study examines the impact of coach autonomy-supportive behaviors on their communication effectiveness, as well as the mediating role of intrinsic motivation variables, measuring and testing these variables. Patient concerns: The participants care about whether the coach's autonomous support behavior can promote communication between them and the coach. Diagnoses: The athletes participating in the test have a certain degree of depression. Interventions: For these athletes, coaches adopt autonomous support behavior in training practice to support their decision-making and meet their psychological needs. Outcomes: Coach autonomous support behavior has a positive supportive effect on the communication effect between athletes with depressive emotions and coaches. Lessons: (1) Coach autonomy-supportive behaviors can positively predict the communication effectiveness between coaches and athletes experiencing depressive moods; (2) Intrinsic motivation partially mediates the relationship between coach autonomy-supportive behaviors and communication effectiveness between coaches and athletes experiencing depressive moods. The study concludes that coaches can promote athletes' intrinsic motivation by supporting and encouraging them to make their own choices and affirming the outcomes of those choices. This approach can alleviate athletes' depressive moods and foster their willingness to actively communicate and share their feelings with coaches, thereby enhancing communication effectiveness.