A multi-sample examination of the relationship between athlete burnout and sport performance.

Athlete burnout potentially has negative consequences for sport performance. However, to the best of our knowledge, empirical studies have yet to examine the relationship between athlete burnout and objective sport performance. Consequently, we aimed to provide a first such examination. To do so, we recruited three samples. We used Sample 1 (n = 106: track and field athletes) to examine the predictive utility of athlete burnout on a single performance, Sample 2 (n = 181: swimmers) to examine whether the findings from Sample 1 can be replicated in a different sport, and Sample 3 (n = 169: track and field athletes) to examine the predictive utility of athlete burnout on peak performance in a three-month period. Finally, having captured three samples each assessing the athlete burnout-performance relationship, we also sought to quantify the combined effect across these samples using a relatively new analytical technique - mini meta-analysis. Results from regression analyses showed that in at least two of the three samples total burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation each negatively predicted performance, whereas emotional and physical exhaustion was unrelated to performance. When we combined the samples, mini meta-analysis showed that total burnout, reduced sense of accomplishment, and sport devaluation each displayed a small-to-medium negative and significant meta-correlation with performance. The findings suggest that certain athlete burnout symptoms may indeed have negative consequences for sport performance, and that this is the case when considering a single performance and peak performance.

Factorial validity and measurement invariance of the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ).

The Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) is the gold standard measure for burnout in athletes. However, previous assessments of factorial validity have: (a) tested overly restrictive measurement models; (b) provided mixed support for factorial validity; and (c) not been applied to assess measurement invariance across gender, sport type, or age. To address these issues, we used ABQ data provided by 914 athletes (Mage = 21.75 years, SD = 8.79) and examined factorial validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) techniques. We also examined measurement invariance of the ABQ data across reported gender (female, male), sport type (individual, team), and age (≤18 years, >18 years) groups. The analyses revealed that an ESEM model provided superior fit over the corresponding CFA model. In terms of measurement invariance, support was provided for the equivalence of the ABQ across each group. This means that researchers using the ABQ can collect data across these groups and examine potential differences with confidence that the ABQ is approximately invariant. In all, we provide evidence that the majority of ABQ items are key target construct indicators and the burnout construct (as measured by the ABQ) has the same structure and meaning to different athlete groups.

Perfectionism and performance in sport: Exploring non-linear relationships with track and field athletes.

The relationship between perfectionism - perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns - and athletic performance is contested and inconsistent. The present study explored the possibility that one explanation for this inconsistency is the assumption that the relationship is linear. In two samples, we tested alternative non-linear relationships between perfectionism and real-world competitive athletic performance. Sample one comprised 165 Swedish track and field athletes (57 % competing in female category, 42 % in male category; Mage = 16.93 years) and sample two comprised 157 British track and field athletes (55 % competing in female category, 43 % in male category; Mage = 18.42 years). Testing for linear and non-linear relationships, we found a quadratic effect whereby higher perfectionistic strivings had both positive increasing (i.e., U-shape; sample 1) and positive decreasing (i.e., inverted U-shape; sample 2) relationships with performance. We conclude that there may be circumstances when perfectionistic strivings contribute to better and worse sport performance, and that this relationship can be curvilinear.

Athlete Burnout Symptoms Are Increasing: A Cross-Temporal Meta-Analysis of Average Levels From 1997 to 2019.

With the increasing prevalence of mental health difficulties in sport, athletes may be at greater risk of burnout than ever before. In the present study, we tested this possibility by examining whether average athlete burnout levels have changed over the past 2 decades, from 1997 to 2019. A literature search returned 91 studies (N = 21,012) and 396 effect sizes. Findings from cross-temporal meta-analysis suggested that burnout symptoms have increased over the past 2 decades. Specifically, we found that athletes' mean levels of reduced sense of athletic accomplishment and sport devaluation have increased. As burnout symptoms are now typically higher among athletes than in the past, we can expect more athletes to be prone to the negative effects of burnout. Sport is therefore in urgent need of prevention and intervention strategies to stop and reverse this trend.

Do Athlete and Coach Performance Perfectionism Predict Athlete Burnout?

Research has illustrated that athlete perfectionism predicts athlete burnout. The present study sought to build on existing research in two ways. First, we provide the first test of the relationship between performance perfectionism and athlete burnout. That is, whether the degree to which athlete's expect their own or others' sport performances to be perfect, predicts burnout. Second, we broaden the examination of the perfectionism-burnout relationship to include coaches by testing the incremental predictive ability of perceptions of coach other-oriented performance perfectionism (the degree to which coaches were perceived to expect perfect performances from others). A sample of 190 competitive adult athletes (M age = 20.54) completed measures of their own performance perfectionism (self-oriented, socially prescribed, and other-oriented performance perfectionism), perceived coach other-oriented performance perfectionism, and burnout symptoms. Regression analyses indicated that both athlete self-oriented and socially prescribed performance perfectionism positively predicted athlete burnout. In addition, after controlling for all dimensions of athlete performance perfectionism, perceived coach other-oriented performance perfectionism positively predicted athlete burnout. The findings suggest that, in addition to their own perfectionism, when athletes perceive their coaches to be more perfectionistic towards others, they are more likely to experience burnout.

Development of perfectionism in junior athletes: Examination of actual and perceived parental perfectionism.

Initial research suggests that parental perfectionism is central to the development of athlete perfectionism. However, it is unclear whether perceived or actual parental perfectionism is most important. The present study aimed to address this issue in two ways. First, we re-examined the predictive ability of actual versus perceived parental perfectionism on athlete perfectionism. Second, for the first time, we tested whether perceived parental perfectionism mediated the relationship between actual parental perfectionism and athlete perfectionism. A sample of 150 junior athletes and their parents completed measures of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns). Junior athletes completed two measures, one of their own perfectionism and one of perceptions of their parents' perfectionism. Parents completed one measure of their own perfectionism. Regression analyses showed that perceived parental perfectionism predicted athlete perfectionism over and above actual parental perfectionism. Mediation analyses provided support for our proposed model. Overall, the findings suggest that both actual and perceived parental perfectionism are important in the development of perfectionism in junior athletes.