Applying generalizability theory to examine the antecedents of perceived coach support

摘要

Although social support is integral to the coaching process, there is only a limited understanding of the antecedentsudof perceived coach support. We applied generalizability theory to examine perceived coach supportudand its antecedents at perceiver, provider, and relational levels of analysis. Two studies were conducted inudwhich athletes rated the degree to which they identified with a selection of coaches, and the personality, competency,udand supportiveness of those coaches. Univariate analyses demonstrated that the relational componentudaccounted for a significant amount of variance in perceived coach support in both studies. Multivariate analysesuddemonstrated that when athletes perceive specific coaches to be highly agreeable, competent, and individualsudwith whom they share a common identity, they also perceive these same coaches to be particularly supportiveudin comparison with other coaches.