Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2016

Thesis Director

Amber M. Shipherd

Abstract

This study advanced the understanding of relationships among coach leadership and collegiate softball players' self-confidence and motivation. The purpose of this study was to examine if there was a correlation between perceived coach leadership and softball player's self-confidence and motivation. Ninety-seven U.S. collegiate female softball student-athletes completed a Basic Demographic Survey, the Trait Sport-Confident Inventory (TSCI), Leadership Scale for Sport (LSS), and Sport Motivation Scale (SMS). Multiple linear regression analyses results indicated that LSS and SMS subscales explained 45 percent of the variance in TSCI scores. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed and significant moderate positive relationships were found between the LSS subscales, SMS subscales, and TSCI scores. These results indicate that there is a relationship between perceived coach leadership and a softball student-athlete's self-confidence and motivation. The research findings can be used to aid coaches in developing a coaching style that is well perceived by softball athletes. This will assist coaches in developing techniques (i.e., communication skills, motivational factors, correctional feedback, mental toughness) that will motivate and give their softball athletes high levels of self-confidence while performing.

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