Impact of Coaching Style on Vulnerability for Eating Disorders: An Analog Study

This analog study examined the impact of coaching style on athletes' vulnerability for eating problems using a 2 (positive vs. negative coaching vignette) by 2 (male vs. female) factorial experiment with the following dependent variables: mood, dieting, fear of fat. and body image anxiety. One hundred ten college students were randomly assigned to vignette conditions. The negative vignette portrayed a coach who was performance-centered and focused on weight in a threatening manner. The coach in the positive vignette was also focused on weight, but in a person centered and caring manner. It was hypothesized females compared to males would react more pathologically to the negative versus positive vignette condition. Contrary to expectations, gender failed to interact with vignette condition. However, participants in the negative vignette exhibited higher instances of dieting, body image anxiety, and fear of fat. This research implies coaching style could create an increased vulnerability for body image and eating problems in student athletes.