John P. Mills

Expert Premier League soccer managers’ use of transformational leadership behaviours and attitude towards sport integrity: An intrinsic case study

The present study is the first to examine transformational leadership behaviours and integrity attitudes of expert, Premier League and International level football managers. To provide a rich, detailed exploration of the expert managers’ experiences, a qualitative approach was adopted utilising holistic content analysis. Constructed narratives revealed that the key behaviours demonstrated were inspirational messages or team talks (i.e. inspirational motivation), empathy (i.e. individualised consideration), introducing new training methods (i.e. intellectual stimulation), using exemplar players (i.e. appropriate role modelling), and goal setting (i.e. high performance expectations). However, the use and effect of such behaviours varied greatly between managers. Each of the managers also claimed to have been willing to “bend the rules” as a player and frequently used euphemistic labels to describe such behaviour. However, upon entering management, all three managers claimed to have adjusted such attitudes without providing an explanation for this.

An [AUTO]ethnographic account of constructing, deconstructing, and partially reconstructing a coaching identity

This reflective autoethnography illuminates the intricate mechanisms that impact identity construction and deconstruction. Set within the context of football coaching, the author draws upon lived experiences to show his struggle to establish and maintain an identity. By taking the unusual step of exposing his self-doubts and fears, it is the author’s hope that the article will offer comfort to other coaches (and young people in general) experiencing similar difficulties. Signposts are also offered, which direct the reader to the relevant identity literature. Finally, the narrative is evaluated and the benefits to the coaching and psychology communities are discussed.

Advancing leadership in sport: Time to 'actually' take the blinkers off?

In a recent article entitled Advancing Leadership in Sport: Time to Take off the Blinkers?’ Cruickshank and Collins presented what they deemed to be a critical analysis of extant leadership research in sport, attempting to establish a rationale for a greater emphasis on both the cognitive and ‘darker’ (i.e., socially undesirable) sides of leadership. The purpose of the present article is to challenge and clarify a number of misrepresentations in the arguments made in the foundation article, and to question some of the resultant recommendations made. Specifically, the present response will focus on Cruickshank and Collins’ (a) lack of specificity regarding the actual ‘dark’ traits they are apparently purporting to be effective leadership traits, (b) the dearth of theoretical and empirical support for their claims relating to the benefits of ‘dark’ leadership (c) misrepresentation of transformational leadership theory, (d) decision to ignore other relevant theoretical frameworks when presenting their arguments, and (e) apparent confirmation bias in the selective use of literature to support their arguments. Leadership research in sport may well benefit from new directions and methodological advancements and on this level we concur with the aims of Cruickshank and Collins’ article. However, we believe their misrepresentations and inappropriate recommendations do little to advance this area of research, and potentially serve to take it backwards not forwards.

Development of moral disengagement and self-regulatory efficacy assessments relevant to doping in sport and exercise

Objectives: To develop Moral Disengagement (MD) and Self‐Regulatory Efficacy (SRE) instruments relevant to doping in sport and exercise and provide evidence for the validity and reliability of instrument scores. Design: Cross‐sectional, correlational. Methods: Data were collected from male and female team‐ and individual‐sport athletes and corporate‐ and bodybuilding‐gym exercisers. Two samples (nsample 1 = 318; nsample 2 = 300) were utilized in instrument development and score validation and another (nsample 3 = 101) in examining test‐retest reliability and stability of scores. Samples 1 and 2 responded to the newly developed items alongside others assessing theoretically‐related variables, whereas Sample 3 completed the new instruments on two separate occasions. Results: Factor analyses identified the final items and dimensional structures for the Doping Moral Disengagement Scale (DMDS), Doping Moral Disengagement Scale–Short (DMDS–S) and Doping Self‐Regulatory Efficacy Scale (DSRES). The DMDS has six lower‐ and one higher‐order factor, whereas the DMDS‐S and DSRES are unidimensional. These structures were invariant by sex and sport/exercise context. Evidence supporting external validity, test‐retest reliability, and stability of scores was also provided. Conclusion: This research developed and provided evidence of score validity and internal consistency for three instruments relevant to doping in sport and exercise. HighlightsMeasures of doping moral disengagement and self‐regulatory efficacy were developed.A short and a long version of the doping moral disengagement measure was created.Good levels of internal consistency, test‐retest reliability and stability were shown for all instrument scores.Evidence supporting the construct validity of all instrument scores was provided.Measurement invariance was also examined for gender and physical activity context.

It is not Black and White: A comparison of skin tone by playing position in the Premier League and English football:

Within the present manuscript we explore the role of skin tone on playing position within English football’s top four professional leagues. Player data (n = 4515) was collected across five seasons (2010–2015). Unlike previous research, results indicate a statistically significant, but arguable minor difference between the skin tones of those who play in central as opposed to wide positions. However, a one-way ANOVA highlights significant differences between skin tone and individual playing positions. Between league differences were, however, non-significant. Although mean skin tone is still darker for peripheral (i.e., wide) positions, the situation is more nuanced than first thought. Instead of segregating players by central versus peripheral roles, it appears that players of a darker skin tone occupy positions associated with athleticism and strength. In contrast, players of a lighter skin tone appear to fulfil positions requiring organizational skills and creativity.

‘Hey, look at me’: An {auto}ethnographic account of experiencing ADHD symptoms within sport

Abstract Using an autoethnographic approach, the first author, an individual diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in early childhood, explores his lived sporting experiences with the help of the second author. Although there is a tendency for research into ADHD to be confined largely to clinical evaluation and subjective interpretations, this fails to advance cultural understanding and ultimately maintains the status quo. Therefore, by sharing and exploring experiences, both as an athlete and a coach, we aim to address this in-balance within sport and give a voice to the voiceless. By endeavouring to reveal the thoughts and feelings attached to key episodes within the first author’s experience as a player and a coach, the study functions to provide preliminary evidence to showcase how ADHD can impact upon those who participate in sport. Furthermore, the vignettes presented act as a vehicle to signpost the reader in accessing the available academic literature. As a result, it is hoped that this manuscript will (1) bring further meaning to this often misunderstood condition, (2) showcase how ADHD symptoms may present themselves within a sporting environment and (3) enable coaches to better support those who experience similar episodes.

Development and initial validation of an indirect measure of transformational leadership integrity

ABSTRACT An indirect measure of transformational leadership integrity was developed across three studies. In Study 1, the transformational leadership integrity implicit association test (TLI‐IAT) was developed and tested with 65 leaders across heterogeneous organizational contexts. Study 2 involved 51 coaches from 18 sports. Results from Studies 1 and 2 supported the construct validity of the instrument, providing evidence of the instruments convergent and discriminant validity. Study 3 involved 32 coaches and 133 players from six sports. Findings supported the criterion validity of the measure, providing evidence for the instruments predictive validity. In sum, evidence is presented that supports the TLI‐IATs construct and criterion validity. As such, the present research has made significant advancements to the transformational leadership integrity literature and provides researchers with an indirect measure of automatic transformational leadership integrity self‐attitudes. HIGHLIGHTSThe transformational leadership integrity implicit association test (TLI‐IAT) is proposed.Reliability and validity of the TLI‐IAT is assessed across three studies and multiple samples.Support for the TLI‐IATs reliability and validity is provided.

Empathic and Self-Regulatory Processes Governing Doping Behavior

Evidence associating doping behavior with moral disengagement (MD) has accumulated over recent years. However, to date, research examining links between MD and doping has not considered key theoretically grounded influences and outcomes of MD. As such, there is a need for quantitative research in relevant populations that purposefully examines the explanatory pathways through which MD is thought to operate. Toward this end, the current study examined a conceptually grounded model of doping behavior that incorporated empathy, doping self-regulatory efficacy (SRE), doping MD, anticipated guilt and self-reported doping/doping susceptibility. Participants were specifically recruited to represent four key physical-activity contexts and consisted of team- (n = 195) and individual- (n = 169) sport athletes and hardcore- (n = 125) and corporate- (n = 121) gym exercisers representing both genders (nmale = 371; nfemale = 239); self-reported lifetime prevalence of doping across the sample was 13.6%. Each participant completed questionnaires assessing the aforementioned variables. Structural equation modeling indicated strong support for all study hypotheses. Specifically, we established: (a) empathy and doping SRE negatively predicted reported doping; (b) the predictive effects of empathy and doping SRE on reported doping were mediated by doping MD and anticipated guilt; (c) doping MD positively predicted reported doping; (d) the predictive effects of doping MD on reported doping were partially mediated by anticipated guilt. Substituting self-reported doping for doping susceptibility, multisample analyses then demonstrated these predictive effects were largely invariant between males and females and across the four physical-activity contexts represented. These findings extend current knowledge on a number of levels, and in doing so aid our understanding of key psychosocial processes that may govern doping behavior across key physical-activity contexts.

A Review of “Social Psychology in Sport & Exercise: Linking Theory to Practice”

In Social Psychology in Sport and Exercise: Linking Theory to Practice, Knowles, Shanmugam, and Lorimer offer their introductory text aimed at athletes, coaches, applied sport psychologists, teachers, physical activity practitioners, health care professionals, workplace managers, urban planners, and undergraduate and postgraduate students studying sport, social, and/or exercise psychology. Although aimed at a very broad audience, the text is particularly suited to practitioners operating within the contexts discussed. Similarly, the text may also be of benefit to those considering employment within those professions. For such individuals, Social Psychology in Sport and Exercise undoubtedly offers an engaging insight into the dynamics that exist within a range of sport and exercise psychology related settings, an overview of the social psychological theories relevant to said contexts, and a range of interactive case studies. Given this applied focus, the book may be useful for undergraduate students who would like to understand how social psychology is applicable within real-world settings, before examining the theories discussed within more depth. As implied by the broad target audience, the text is equally ambitious in the comprehensive nature of topics covered. Unlike introductory texts that tend to focus chapters on specific psychological topics, Social Psychology in Sport and Exercise instead provides chapters which meander from specific roles (i.e., the coach) through to environmental contexts (i.e., schools, workplaces, gyms, primary health, and the outdoors). Although such an approach may be useful for those who occupy roles within the specific contexts discussed, the approach does impact the flow of the text somewhat and, to an extent, separates constructs that may be relevant to multiple contexts. For example, self-presentation was discussed solely within the chapter devoted to gyms and leisure centers, despite its relevance to a number of other contexts discussed in the book. In essence, this holistic approach is both the strength and the weakness of this text. On the one