Abstract
Coaching has been recognised as a demanding and potentially stressful occupation. The extent to which coaches' perceive their occupation to be stressful is likely to be influenced by various personal and situational factors. The purpose of this study was to identify coaches' levels of perceived stress and examine the personal and situational factors that may influence coaches' perceptions of stress. In total, 512 coaches working with university, college, Canada Games, and/or nationally identified athletes completed this study. Coaches completed an online survey, which included questions regarding demographics, work/job-related considerations, and aspects relating to their contract. Coaches also completed the Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983). Overall coaches indicated relatively low levels of perceived stress (M= 15.13 out of 40). Demographic factors, job-related characteristics, and certain aspects of their contract were associated with coaches' perceptions of stress. Particularly, unclear expectations, long-working hours (>40), lack of agreed upon evaluation criteria, higher salaries, and a lack of social support were related to higher perceptions of stress. As such, the findings of the current study indicate that enhancing coaches' perceptions of control related to their job by reducing role ambiguity and providing clear expectations may help to reduce coaches' perceptions of stress.Acknowledgments: Coaching Association of Canada