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Toxic Leadership in High-Performance Sports and its Consequences for Mental Health and Performance: A Scoping Review
Linköping University, Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning, Psychology. Linköping University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences. (Athletics Research Center)ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6570-5480
Applied Psychology, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium, Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Safeguarding Sport and Society, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium, Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
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2025 (English)In: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, ISSN 1750-984X, E-ISSN 1750-9858Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This scoping review aimed to identify the current state of knowledge on toxic leadership in high-performance sports and its consequences for mental health and performance at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels. Abstract screening (n =768) and full-text review (n = 83) resulted in the inclusion of 26 studies, predominantly conducted in North America and Europe. Studies used inconsistent definitions, theoretical frameworks, and methodological approaches to study darker or toxic leadership. Several antecedents and maintaining factors to toxic leadershipwere identified, such as individual leader characteristics, a performance-oriented culture, status/power structures, and a lackof reporting processes or consequences within organizations. The empirical literature provided initial support for the negative consequences of toxic leadership on athletes’ mental health, injuries, and motivation to remain in high-performance sports. Few studies have investigated the consequences of toxic leadership on sports organizations, staff or coaches. We conclude that research on toxic leadership in high-performance sports is in its early stages, with an underdeveloped understanding of how problematic leadership can be detected, prevented, and addressed to minimize its impact in sports. Researchers, governing bodies, and sports organizations must intensify their efforts to comprehend the emergence and persistence of toxic leadership within high-performance sports environments.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD , 2025.
Keywords [en]
Abuse; Dark triad; Elite sport; Destructive leadership; Toxic culture
National Category
Applied Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-211156DOI: 10.1080/1750984X.2025.2457038ISI: 001406258200001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85216180391OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-211156DiVA, id: diva2:1931181
Available from: 2025-01-25 Created: 2025-01-25 Last updated: 2025-02-05

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Lundqvist, CarolinaKolbeinsson, Örn

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