Division I level athletes respond more favorably to caring, task-involving climates while ego-involving climates trigger concerning psychophysiological stress responses during a brief experimental investigation

Sport psychology researchers have demonstrated the value of creating caring, task-involving climates (CTICs) in sport, although more research with elite-level athletes is needed to better understand how the motivational climate might impact how they respond to and manage performance stress. Division I level athletes (N = 39; Mage = 20.40 y.o.) took part in a 45-min free throw shooting clinic with either a CTIC or an ego-involving climate (EIC). Participants were prescreened for potential confounds (e.g., autoimmune disorders). Post-surveys were used to assess athlete demand and resource evaluations and psychosocial stress experiences and responses. Saliva was collected prior to (t = 0) and following (t = +45, +60, +75, +90 min) the clinic to assess changes in salivary cortisol and IL-6, a marker of inflammation. Athletes responded to the EIC with a dual rise in cortisol and inflammation, indicators of psychosocial stress that can have implications for athletic performance and mental health. Compared to the EIC group, athletes in the CTIC responded much more favorably, with decreased cortisol and a challenge appraisal of stress (i.e., evaluations of coping resources > demands). Athletes in the EIC reported a threat appraisal (i.e., demand evaluations > resource evaluations), along with greater perceived psychosocial stressors (Cohen’s d = 3.47) and stress responses (Cohen’s d = 1.31), including shame-related feelings (Cohen’s d = 1.45). This research illustrates that even a brief 45-min immersion in an EIC can elicit concerning stress responses in elite-level athletes, whereas a CTIC may set athletes up to thrive.