Acceptability and preliminary efficacy testing of a web-based coach development program addressing gender essentialism among coaches of adolescent girls

Goorevich, Anna; Boucher, Courtney; Schneider, Jekaterina; Silva-Breen, Hannah; Matheson, Emily L.; Tinoco, Aline; LaVoi, Nicole M.

Abstract

Gender essentialism in coaching discourses often goes unnoticed by coaches yet promotes gender stereotypes. Currently, no coach development program addresses gender essentialism. This study tested the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a novel web-based coaching intervention comprising seven self-led modules, aimed at reducing gender essentialism among coaches. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 102 coaches of adolescent girls across multiple sports. Coaches were randomized into the intervention condition (n = 54) or a waitlist control condition (n = 48). Both intervention and control group participants completed a baseline self-assessment prior. Intervention group participants undertook Coaching HER Foundation modules over 2 weeks and completed a postintervention self-assessment. Control group coaches completed the postintervention assessment without completing the Coaching HER Foundation modules. Based on the data, coaches found the intervention easy to follow, relevant, applicable, and enjoyable. Efficacy analyses illustrated the intervention group reported lower levels of gender essentialism at postintervention compared with the control group. Study results must be considered in relation to the small sample size and high attrition rate (72%). Study findings will inform intervention optimizations based on participant feedback, after which Coaching HER Foundation will be made freely available within a wider coach education and training framework.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 24, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Sep 26, 2023
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 28, 2023
• Journal: International Sport Coaching Journal
• Print ISSN: 2328-918X
• Electronic ISSN: 2328-9198
• Publisher: Human Kinetics
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 356–368
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2023-0035
• Keywords: Health (social science)
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11139917