The role of leaders in the communal coping process in sports teams: A social network analysis perspective

Abstract

Elite ice hockey players experience intense competitive pressure requiring team coordination to manage these challenges. Understanding how communal coping occurs within teams and its impact on team performance in high-pressure sports environments is crucial. This study first explores the role of identity leaders in initiating communal coping dimensions within their team. Second, it aims to evaluate how communal coping relates to subjective team performance under pressure. Data were collected from 15 elite ice hockey teams across France, Switzerland, and Canada, comprising 395 male athletes (Mage = 21.85, SD = 6.38). Social network analysis was used to examine relationships between identity leaders and communal coping dimensions including problem-focused communal efforts, communal management of emotions, and communal-goal withdrawal. Perceived team performance under pressure was assessed. QAP analyses indicate that identity leaders are significantly and positively associated with problem-focused communal efforts and communal management of emotions. In contrast, the relationship between identity leaders and communal-goal withdrawal varied across teams, indicating contextual variability. The results regarding correlations between communal coping dimensions and subjective team performance under pressure indicate that problem-focused communal efforts and communal management of emotions are both significantly and positively associated with subjective team performance under pressure. Conversely, communal-goal withdrawal was negatively associated with subjective team performance under pressure. These findings underscore the critical role of identity leaders in implementing communal coping. Moreover, this study highlights the relationships between communal coping dimensions and subjective team performance under pressure, advancing theoretical insights into social dynamics in elite team sports under pressure. Elite ice hockey players cope with intense pressure which requires team stress management. Results highlight the critical role of leaders in the collective management of high-pressure sports. They also provide preliminary support for the relationship between communal coping dimensions and subjective team performance. Identify and develop team leaders. Use social network analysis to identify key identity leaders. Implement leadership development programs, such as the 5R Shared Leadership Program and stress-specific training modules to enhance leaders’ ability to build team identity and manage stress effectively.Train in communal coping. Conduct workshops on problem-focused communal coping, including tactical planning and shared challenge resolution. Use guided debriefing sessions after competitions to train communal management of emotions, fostering mutual support and emotional expression.Prevent negative leadership influences. Monitor identity leader behaviors under pressure to avoid promoting maladaptive coping strategies such as communal-goal withdrawal. Regular leadership evaluations and feedback sessions should be conducted to ensure alignment with team values and to reinforce positive leadership dynamics. Identify and develop team leaders. Use social network analysis to identify key identity leaders. Implement leadership development programs, such as the 5R Shared Leadership Program and stress-specific training modules to enhance leaders’ ability to build team identity and manage stress effectively. Train in communal coping. Conduct workshops on problem-focused communal coping, including tactical planning and shared challenge resolution. Use guided debriefing sessions after competitions to train communal management of emotions, fostering mutual support and emotional expression. Prevent negative leadership influences. Monitor identity leader behaviors under pressure to avoid promoting maladaptive coping strategies such as communal-goal withdrawal. Regular leadership evaluations and feedback sessions should be conducted to ensure alignment with team values and to reinforce positive leadership dynamics.