Coaching style and attitudes toward doping in Chinese athletes: The mediating role of moral disengagement

Previous studies in Western countries indicated that coaching style had significant influence on athletes’ attitudes toward doping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between coaching style and attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The potential mediating role of moral disengagement was examined. Participants were 203 athletes (Mean age = 19.0 years, 36.9% females) from the Fujian Provincial Sports Team, China. Athletes’ perception of autonomy-supportive and controlling coaching style was assessed using the adapted Health Care Climate Questionnaire and the Coach Controlling Behaviors Scale, respectively. Moral disengagement in sport was assessed using a scale developed by the authors. The Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale was adapted to measure athletes’ attitudes toward doping. Structural equation modelling was used to establish to assess the mediation effects. The results from structural equation model testing showed that autonomy-supportive coaching style had no direct effect on attitudes toward doping, and the indirect path through moral disengagement was also not significant. Controlling coaching style had an indirect and positive effect on attitudes toward doping through moral disengagement. Results indicated that controlling coaching style was positively associated with attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The relationship was mediated by moral disengagement. Autonomy-supportive coaching style was not associated with attitudes toward doping. The findings provided evidence supporting the important role of moral disengagement in mediating the positive relationship between controlling coaching style and attitudes toward doping among Chinese athletes. The findings indicated that avoiding construction of controlling coaching climate and reducing moral disengagement in sport may be relevant for reducing athletes’ pro-doping attitudes.