How interpersonal communication shapes athletes emotional well-being, relationships, and sport perceptions

Although athletes routinely experience intense emotions, little is known about how they communicate those emotions with others. This study advances understanding of emotion in sport by examining it as an inherently interpersonal, communicative process rather than an individual psychological phenomenon. Drawing on reflexive thematic analysis of in-depth individual interviews with 16 former Division-I athletes, this study examines how athletes experience emotions, who they communicate about them with, and what outcomes emerge from these interactions. Findings reveal that athletes’ emotions originate both within and beyond sport contexts and are routinely negotiated through communication with key stakeholders: coaches, teammates, and family members. The study forwards a three-stage process model of interpersonal emotion communication consisting of (1) emotional experience, (2) communicative engagement with stakeholders, and (3) relational and perceptual outcomes. By complementing the extensive literature on intrapersonal regulation, this study extends sport communication and emotion regulation scholarship, highlighting interpersonal communication as the central mechanism through which athletes make sense of and manage emotional experiences. Practical implications underscore the importance of fostering communicative climates that support emotional expression to enhance athlete well-being and retention.