The purpose of this research is to explore how gender and family dynamics, particularly parenthood, impacts stress and burnout levels among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III coaches. Our sample reported moderate perceived stress but low overall burnout. This study analyzed 752 responses using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (α = .945) and Perceived Stress Scale (α = .888), applying descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests to identify differences. Results indicate that women coaches report significantly higher stress and burnout levels than men. Conversely, coaches with children experience lower perceived stress and personal burnout compared to those without children. These findings underscore gender disparities in stress and burnout while highlighting the potential buffering effect of parenthood. Personal life factors, particularly family dynamics, appear to play a crucial role in coaches’ mental well-being. Understanding burnout among coaches is essential for fostering a healthy team environment. Sport organizations should invest in mental health support tailored to coaches’ needs, incorporating family-oriented interventions to mitigate burnout. Prioritizing coaches' well-being can enhance overall team functioning and athlete development.
Singe et al. (Tue,) studied this question.