Transformational Leadership, Psychological Safety, and Concussion Reporting Intentions in Team-Sport Athletes

John Batten (), Matthew J. Smith, Janet Young, Abi Braim, Rebecca Jull, Callum Samuels, Alan J. Pearce and Adam J. White
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John Batten: Department of Sport, Allied Health and Social Work, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Matthew J. Smith: Department of Sport, Allied Health and Social Work, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Janet Young: First Year College, Victoria University, Footscray Campus, Melbourne, VIC 8001, Australia
Abi Braim: Department of Sport, Allied Health and Social Work, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Rebecca Jull: Department of Sport, Allied Health and Social Work, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Callum Samuels: Department of Sport, Allied Health and Social Work, University of Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR, UK
Alan J. Pearce: School of Health Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
Adam J. White: The Professional Footballers’ Association, Lincoln Building, Lincoln Square, Manchester M2 5AD, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The present study examined the predictive relationships between transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions. Interviews were used to understand the impact of the coach and teammates on the team environment and how this might lead to greater concussion reporting in team-sport athletes. Methods: This study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. 233 team-sport athletes ( n = 160 males, n = 73 females, mean age = 19.83 years, SD = 3.15) completed quantitative measures of transformational leadership, psychological safety, and concussion reporting intentions, while five participants ( n = 2 males, n = 3 females, mean age = 18.40 years, SD = 0.55) were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. Results: Quantitative results indicated that transformational leadership predicted a psychologically safe environment ( p < 0.001), and social norms for team-sport athletes predicted concussion reporting intentions ( p < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted the important role that coaches and teammates play in creating an open environment that encourages concussion reporting. Education and awareness were also seen to further develop such an environment, while athletes identified several barriers to reporting symptoms of concussion. Conclusions: The findings from this study provide researchers and practitioners with preliminary evidence that can shape the design of interventions to support the development of a team environment that can promote concussion reporting and, thus, prioritise player health.

Keywords: concussion reporting; mild traumatic brain injury; psychological safety; transformational leadership (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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