Body confident coaching: A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the acceptability of a web-based body image intervention for coaches of adolescent girls

Schneider, Kat; Matheson, Emily L.; Tinoco, Aline; Gentili, Caterina; White, Paul; Boucher, Courtney; Silva-Breen, Hannah; Goorevich, Anna; Diedrichs, Phillippa C.; LaVoi, Nicole M.

Abstract

Coaches influence athletes’ body image, but often feel ill-equipped to address body image concerns and inadvertently perpetuate harmful body ideals. No evidence-based, empirically-tested body image intervention for coaches exists. This study evaluated the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a novel web-based intervention (body confident coaching [BCC]), comprising five self-led 20-min modules. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 97 coaches of adolescent girls (Mage = 36.6yrs, SD = 10.4; 70% women). Coaches were randomized into the intervention (n = 52) or waitlist control condition (n = 45). Intervention condition participants completed baseline self-assessments (demographics, target outcomes), took part in BCC over two weeks, and completed post-intervention self-assessments (target outcomes, acceptability, adherence). Waitlist control participants completed baseline (demographics, target outcomes) and post-intervention self-assessments (target outcomes), after which they received unmonitored access to the intervention. Intervention condition participants who completed post-intervention assessments (n = 16) finished all five modules and 75% reported engaging with the additional resources. Coaches found the intervention easy to follow, appropriate, useful, and enjoyable. Preliminary efficacy analyses indicated that the intervention condition reported higher levels of self-efficacy toward body image (ηp2 = .19), and lower levels of fat phobia (ηp2 = .39) and gender essentialist beliefs (ηp2 = .20) at post-intervention, compared to the waitlist condition. A limitation of this study is the small sample size and high attrition rate (51%), which may bias results. Following modifications to the intervention and trial protocol, BCC will be evaluated in a large-scale randomized controlled effectiveness trial.

Citation

Schneider, K., Matheson, E. L., Tinoco, A., Gentili, C., White, P., Boucher, C., …LaVoi, N. M. (in press). Body confident coaching: A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating the acceptability of a web-based body image intervention for coaches of adolescent girls. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2212023

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 5, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 22, 2023
• Deposit Date: May 22, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 23, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Applied Sport Psychology
• Print ISSN: 1041-3200
• Electronic ISSN: 1533-1571
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2212023
• Keywords: Web-based body image, body image, intervention, adolescent girls, adolescence
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10810387
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10413200.2023.2212023