An Exploration of Student-Athletes Perception on the Athletic Trainer/Coach Relationship: Case Study on Social Support

Abstract

Prior research has examined perceptions by the athletic trainer, the coach, and even the student—athlete however it has not explored the student-athletes perception of the athletic trainer coach relationship and weather that impacts social support received. The goal of this study was to explore how the athletic trainer/coach relationship may impact social support through the perception of Division I intercollegiate student—athletes. Interviews were scheduled and held in places based on research participants’ choices. After 11 interviews had taken place, conceptual saturation was reached, and it was decided to stop recruiting research participants and interviewing. Data was analyzed using open, constant comparison, axial, and lastly selective coding. The results were consistent with previous research on athletic trainers and coaches being major contributors of social support for student—athletes. Our findings indicated a correlation between positive athletic trainer/coach relationships and a positive student-athlete experience overall. In contrast, it also showed a correlation between negative athletic trainer/coach relationships and a more negative student-athlete experience overall. While not the intended findings, our research also highlighted the significance of pressures faced by student-athletes to play while injured and the prevalence of mental health issues.

Keywords

• social support
• student-athletes
• athletic trainers
• coaches