Officiating stress and coping strategies among male student basketball referees in China: a procedural grounded theory study

IntroductionThis study aimed to explore the sources, interactions, outcomes, and coping strategies associated with officiating stress among male student basketball referees in China.MethodsUsing a procedural grounded theory approach, 28 male student basketball referees participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Purposive sampling was initially employed to ensure sample diversity, followed by theoretical sampling based on constant comparison. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding with the assistance of NVivo 12.0.ResultsA total of 979 coding references were identified, generating 53 initial categories, 15 subcategories, and five main categories: personal factors, relational pressure, decision-making pressure, match pressure, and event-related pressure. These dimensions formed an interactive, multifactor model of officiating stress. Theoretical saturation was reached after the 26th interview, and two additional interviews confirmed that no new categories or relationships emerged. Moderate pressure could facilitate learning and professional growth, whereas excessive pressure could contribute to stress responses, officiating errors, and a self-reinforcing cycle of escalating pressure.DiscussionCoping strategies included self-regulation, social support, skill development, and stress-response adjustment, although organizational support remained insufficient. The findings provide practical implications for developing psychological support systems, structured training pathways, post-match review mechanisms, and referee development programs.