29.4: Future Research

While noteworthy understanding of various components, mediators, and moderators of stress transactions has been developed since the inception of research on stress in sport, many opportunities for future research still exist. For example, research with parents and officials is limited in many areas, including that on stressors, appraising, coping, and well-being. A similar point can be made about the literature with coaches, which remains underdeveloped when compared to that with athletes. Given that appraising lies at the heart of stress transactions and has important ramifications for coping, well-being, and performance, considerable further research is needed in this area. For example, it is not yet clear when primary and secondary appraising occur during stress transactions; how they interact with each other; or whether any given appraisal is purely primary, secondary, or a combination of the two. Further work on secondary appraising is needed with all stakeholders in sport. Explorations of the positive and negative outcomes of interpersonal coping are warranted, as are considerations of how best to capitalize on both individual and interpersonal coping resources. Examining the links between stress and well-being among athletes, coaches, officials, and parents will contribute to understanding that has relevance both within and outside of sport, and will offer insight to the benefits of sport for individuals and society. The majority of the aforementioned priorities for future research could be facilitated by more robust sport-specific measures of stress and well-being. Innovative qualitative approaches (e.g., diary methods, social network analysis, think aloud protocols) will be needed to develop depth of knowledge and understanding.