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Understanding and supporting mental health in youth sport: the role of digital literacy in coach education

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Tracy DonachieORCiD, Dr Max StoneORCiD, Dr Oliver ShannonORCiD, Dr Adam CoussensORCiD

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Licence

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Coaches play a crucial role in promoting, preventing, and supporting mental health in youth sport, with implications for both athlete wellbeing and sustainable performance; yet factors shaping their preparedness to respond effectively to athlete mental health concerns remain poorly understood. This mixed-methods study examined mental health literacy, self-efficacy, confidence in providing support, and digital literacy among UK youth sport coaches alongside their promotion, prevention, and early intervention behaviours. An online survey of 129 coaches (Mage = 40.17, SD = 12.10) from a variety of sports and levels showed that mental health literacy was positively associated with promotion, prevention, and early intervention behaviours, an association mediated by coaches’ support self-efficacy. Mental health literacy was also positively associated with digital self-efficacy, which further enhanced coaches’ support confidence. Semi-structured online interviews with 11 coaches (eight completing a story completion task) yielded four themes through reflexive thematic analysis: (a) Confidence in Supporting Mental Health, (b) Lack of Mandatory and Practical Training, (c) Role Boundaries and Cultural Expectations, and (d) Need for System-Level Support and Shared Responsibility. Findings demonstrate that knowledge alone is insufficient; confidence serves as a key psychological mechanism through which mental health literacy translates into supportive action within youth sport performance systems. Coaches described needing practical, scenario-based training, clearer role guidance, and stronger organisational structures to help them respond appropriately. The results emphasise the importance of integrated performance-health approaches that build mental health literacy and confidence, supported by accessible digital tools and embedded within wider club and organisational systems.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Davis F, Donachie T, Stone M, Martin D, Shannon OM, Cowens V, Coussens AH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year: 2026

Pages: Epub ahead of print

Online publication date: 12/08/2026

Acceptance date: 03/08/2026

Date deposited: 24/08/2026

ISSN (print): 1612-197X

ISSN (electronic): 1557-251X

Publisher: Routledge

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2026.2716013

DOI: 10.1080/1612197X.2026.2716013

Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [FD], upon reasonable request.

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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
Northern Health Futures Hub [grant number NU013403]

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