Psychological Predictors of Mental Well-Being in Judo Athletes: Exploring the Impacts of The Coach-Athlete Relationship, Social Support, and Psychological Safety

Psychological predictors of mental well-being are crucial for improving athletes’ mental health. Identifying and supporting the mental health of athletes is essential for a well-functional elite sports system. Previous research suggested that the quality of the coach-athlete relationship and a psychologically safe interpersonal environment can positively influence mental health. However, the interplay between these components and the role of social support has yet to be tested empirically. Therefore, the present study explored the impact of coach-athlete relationship quality and psychological safety on mental well-being through perceived social support within and outside sports. A sample of 323 national and international Turkish Judo athletes completed online questionnaires. Structural equation modelling revealed significant positive effects of the coach-athlete relationship on Judo athletes’ mental well-being, mediated by social support and psychological safety. These findings demonstrate that the quality of the coach-athlete relationship can enhance perceived support in and outside sport, and perceived social support can contribute to experiencing a psychologically safe environment within which mental health issues are discussed, leading to an elevated well-being. The coach-athlete relationship alone was not a key factor for enhancing a psychologically safe environment related to athletes’ mental health. However, the relationship athletes develop with their coach positively influences mental well-being via the perception of received social support and an enhanced psychologically safe environment specifically designed to allow athletes to discuss mental health issues. These results offer practical recommendations for coaches and professionals working in sports to improve athletes’ mental well-being.