Toward a Multidimensional Perspective on Teacher-Coach Role Conflict

Research grounded in role theory and occupational socialization theory point to the potential consequences of occupying the roles of physical education teacher and athletic coach concurrently. Specifically, time constraints and inconsistencies in role requirements, organization, rewards, and modes of accountability in teaching and coaching create challenges and may force some teacher/coaches to choose one role as primary to the detriment of the other role. However, most of this research has diminished or altogether neglected the impact of individual identity and social context on the experience of role conflict. The purpose of this paper is to review research related to role conflict in the dual role of teacher/coaches and to propose a conceptual model for viewing teacher/coaches role conflict from a multidimensional perspective. Finally, a case is made for a revitalization of teacher/coaches role conflict research in physical education. (Contains 1 figure.)