SELECTION AND PSYCHOSOCAL PREDICTORS OF WELLBEING: A STUDY AMONG FOTBALL ACADEMY PLAYERS

Abstract: The objectives were to study: (1) if psychosocial factors (such as social support from coaches and peers), within a football context, could predict psychological well-being among soccer academy players (2) the relationship between selection and well-being among football academy players and (3) compare the age categories 11-14 and 15-19 in perceived wellbeing, experiences of selection and social support from coaches and peers.  In total, 443 players from four academy settings participated in the study. The player’s ages differences were between 11-19 years. The instrument used was the Swedish health survey developed by the Swedish Health Institute with a number of football specific items added. Result suggests a regression model including two variables (social support from coaches and peers) explaining 16, 6 % of the psychological well-being. Further, a negative relationship was found between selection and perceived well-being. Another finding was that the youth players (11-15 years) experienced higher levels of social support and psychological well-being, but experienced selection more negatively compared to junior players (15-19 years). Recommendations are given to coaches to be aware of developing a supportive coaching style. Another recommendation to increase well-being is to develop support mechanisms to help the youth players in academy settings to cope with the pressure of selection. The results are discussed in relation to theoretical frameworks and previous research.  Keywords: Football academies, psychological well-being, social support and selection