Sustaining mental toughness under controlling coaching: a moderated mediation model of the coach, athlete relationship and resilience in elite collegiate sports

IntroductionThe psychological resilience of elite athletes is often tested by the interpersonal climate established by their coaches. This study aimed to delineate the integrated psychological pathways through which controlling coaching behaviors undermine an athlete’s mental toughness, specifically exploring the interplay between the coach, athlete relationship (CAR) and individual resilience.MethodsWe analyzed data from a sample of 206 elite male university soccer players in South Korea. The hypothesized moderated mediation model was empirically tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 15) with a 5,000-sample bootstrap procedure. Structural validity and common method bias were rigorously assessed prior to the main analysis.ResultsPath analysis revealed that while the direct impact of controlling coaching on mental toughness was marginal, its negative influence was primarily channeled through a deteriorated CAR. Crucially, resilience emerged as a potent moderator of the relational conduit; the negative indirect effect of coercive coaching via the CAR was pronounced only among athletes with lower resilience. For those possessing high resilience, this detrimental pathway was effectively neutralized, indicating a significant buffering mechanism.DiscussionThe findings underscore that a high-quality coach-athlete bond is a prerequisite for sustaining mental fortitude, yet this bond is highly vulnerable to controlling interpersonal styles. However, by demonstrating that resilience can decouple relational strain from psychological performance, this study highlights the necessity of resilience-building interventions as a strategic defense against dysfunctional coaching environments.