Building a Safe Sports Environment: Coaches' Strategies for Peer Bullying Prevention.

Abstract

Peer bullying in youth sports presents significant challenges to athletes' psychological well-being and overall performance. Addressing this issue requires a systematic understanding of how coaches implement strategies to prevent bullying and create a positive team culture. This study employs Q methodology, integrating both qualitative and quantitative analyses to explore coaches' perspectives on bullying prevention. Data were collected from 30 coaches working with athletes aged 6-14 using snowball sampling. Principal component analysis and Z-score calculations were applied to identify key viewpoints, while qualitative interviews provided additional depth to the findings. The analysis revealed five key themes in bullying prevention strategies: education and awareness, disciplinary measures, team cohesion, leadership development, and active monitoring with positive reinforcement. Coaches emphasize training programs to instill respect, sportsmanship, and sensitivity, while implementing behavioral boundaries to reinforce team norms. Parental involvement and fostering positive peer relationships contribute to team cohesion, whereas empowering athletes as leaders strengthens accountability. Finally, rewarding constructive behavior through active monitoring helps mitigate bullying incidents. This study provides valuable insights into how coaches address peer bullying in youth sports. By identifying and categorizing diverse intervention strategies, it contributes to broader discussions on athlete protection and well-being. Future research should evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these approaches across various age groups, genders, and sports disciplines to establish comprehensive anti-bullying frameworks.