Abstract

Athletes at all levels are shaped and guided by their coaches and their teammates. Both teammates and coaches can instill confidence, trust, and a sense of enjoyment in their athletes. These relationships are therefore vital to an athlete’s development, particularly their athletic self-efficacy and perceived performance. When athletes have higher beliefs in their own abilities and potential for success, they have better athletic outcomes. The present research sought to determine whether coach-athlete or teammate relationships were more beneficial to athletic self-efficacy and perceived performance between individual and team sport athletes. A total of one hundred and fifty participants from six different sports were surveyed in person using four different measurement scales. Regression models indicated that coach-athlete relationships were significant predictors of self-efficacy and perceived performance, and individual sport athletes were more sensitive to the quality of this relationship. Additionally, quality teammate relationships were significant predictors of self-efficacy and perceived performance, but this was not conditional on sport type. The results indicate the importance of fostering close teammate and coach-athlete relationships for all athletes, but particularly close coach-athlete relationships for individual sport athletes. These findings can help inform both coaches and athletes of the necessity of building relationships to foster greater self-efficacy and perceived performance, and in turn, result in greater athletic success.

Advisor

Garcia, Amber

Department

Psychology

Disciplines

Other Psychology | Social Psychology | Sports Studies

Publication Date

2025

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2025 Jessie Breth