A Preliminary Survey of Interpersonal Conflict at Major Games and Championships

Abstract

Interpersonal conflict is a common factor reported by governing bodies and their athletes when preparing for, or competing in, major games and championships (Olusoga, Butt, Hays, & Maynard, 2009). The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary exploration of a UK home nation’s athletes, management, and support staff experiences of interpersonal conflict during competition. Ninety participants who had represented or worked for their nation at major games or championships completed a detailed survey of interpersonal conflict experiences associated with competition. The results suggest athletes, coaches, and team managers are at the greatest risk from interpersonal conflict, while the competition venue and athlete village are where the most incidences of conflict occur. Interpersonal conflict was also suggested to predominantly lead to negative cognitive, affective, and behavioral consequences (disagreement, anger, upset, loss in concentration). Findings are discussed in the context of the experience of the interpersonal conflict with provisional recommendations offered for developing effective strategies for conflict management.

Conflict among athletes and their coaches: what is the theory and research so far?

“…Mellalieu et al (2013), investigating 588 conflict at major sport events, found that most responses to conflict were perceived negative 589 (65-70%; N = 90), whereas only few were perceived positive or neutral (5-29%). Negative 590 cognitive effects included worry, confusion, or even panic; positive cognitions related to 591 increased focus and task clarity.…”

“…They described conflict as short-lived and occurring only a 121 few times during major events, however, long-term conflict was also reported among 122 participants of all groups. Mellalieu et al's (2013) study offered a first insight into conflict in 123…”

“…Interviewees who previously failed in those major events 645 mentioned the perceived negative impact of issues with coaches, team members and the 646 support network more often than successful athletes (e.g., Gould et al, 2002; Greenleaf et al, 647 2001). Nevertheless, also positive outcomes of conflict can be found in the literature; for 648Interpersonal Conflict 27 example, setting up improved training schedules, being more motivated and engaged in 649 practice, or feeling more focused on the task ahead may foster an athlete's performance (Holt 650 et al, 2012;Mellalieu et al, 2013). 651…”

“…They described conflict as short-lived and occurring only a 121 few times during major events, however, long-term conflict was also reported among 122 participants of all groups. Mellalieu et al's (2013) study offered a first insight into conflict in 123Interpersonal Conflict 6 sport and while they highlighted its negative content and outcomes, they also explained that 124 not all participants experienced conflict during competitions. 125 A more in-depth description of the nature and content of conflict was offered by Holt, 126 Knight, and Zukiwski (2012) and Paradis et al (2014aParadis et al ( , 2014b who focused on athletes' 127 perceptions of intra-team conflict.…”

“…Importantly, the effectiveness of employed 524 strategies may highly depend on situational circumstances and conflict partners' 525 characteristics, thus, whereas some approaches can be clearly positive or negative, some may 526 not be categorized that easily (Mellalieu et al, 2013). Investigating conflict during major 527 competitions, Mellalieu et al (2013) assessed conflict solving strategies which were 528 employed by sport participants (N = 90; e.g., athletes, coaches, staff members). While no 529 participants stated the use of forcing or overpowering behaviours, most participants tried to 530 resolve the conflict either on their own or by looking for help (47%), while others noted 531 attempts to withdraw from conflict (29%).…”