The study identified crucial elements within sport settings that contribute to positive outcomes for girls, including levels of autonomy and coach relationships. According to the report, girls who have opportunities for “voice and choice” and are encouraged to express themselves, “share ideas.”.. and develop skills over time are more likely to experience mental health benefits.
Environments that prioritize personal goal setting and learning from mistakes also promote positive outcomes. Previous research has shown that a win-at-all-costs mindset among coaches can have adverse effects on players and employees. Environments driven by coaches’ pursuit of victory can breed narcissistic leadership behaviors… impacting mental health and relationships negatively.
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In The News:
A new study conducted by the Women’s Sport Foundation reveals that girls’ participation in supportive sport environments can significantly lessen mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The report, Thriving Through Sport: The Transformative Impact on Girls’ Mental Health, examined not only the relationship between sport participation and mental health, but also the types of sport environments that yield the most significant mental health benefits for participants.
The study also identifies crucial elements within sport settings, such as levels of autonomy and the nature of coach relationships, that contribute to positive outcomes for girls. According to Issokson-Silver, “when girls have the opportunity for “voice and choice,” which means they are encouraged to express themselves, share ideas, interests, and concerns, this goes a long way to boosting their mental health. When sport settings prioritize the development of skills over time and personal goal setting, and when players are encouraged to learn from their mistakes, they thrive. This stands in contrast to sport settings in which the focus is on winning above all and where social comparisons dominate the culture and tone.”
Previous research has highlighted the adverse effects of a win-at-all-costs mindset among coaches. Environments driven by coaches’ relentless pursuit of victory often breed narcissistic leadership behaviors, impacting both employees and players negatively. This previous study indicates that when winning becomes the sole focus, leadership adopts harmful practices, prioritizing victory over all other organizational and personal goals. When considering the findings from the WSF’s report, it becomes evident that athletes, including young girls, face heightened risks of mental health issues due to these toxic win-at-all-costs cultures, which may also increase the likelihood of strained relationships with their coaches.
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