Mentoring relationships among athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators: A literature review

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this comprehensive review of literature was to synthesize research findings regarding structures and outcomes of mentoring relationships among athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators. Data-based studies involving mentoring in sport contexts were located, retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed. The primary search criteria for this literature review were data-based, peer-reviewed articles published between the years 2005–2016 involving the salient keywords mentoring and sport, which yielded 18 peer-reviewed articles for inclusion in this review. In this review, each study’s purpose(s), theoretical framework(s), data collection strategies, data analysis procedures, and results are presented. Emergent themes included: (a) mentoring of vulnerable populations, (b) attributes of mentors, and (c) outcomes of mentoring relationships. Lastly, practical implications based on the findings are discussed. Five strategies are developed as a measure to improve mentoring relationships.