Coaching for psychological safety: A socio-ecological scoping review of antecedents in competitive sport

This scoping review organizes the antecedent factors of psychological safety in competitive sports based on the framework of the socio-ecological model, identifies research gaps, and provides direction for future research to inform coaching practice. We conducted a search using eight databases—SPORTDiscus, Sports Medicine & Education, IndexPSYCInfo, PSYCArticle, SCOPUS, Academic Search Premier, Medline, and Web of Science—and nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Consequently, 13 antecedent factors were identified. Of the five layers in the socio-ecological model, no antecedent factors were found in the Sport culture and policy layer. However, we found one factor in environmental factors, two in organizational factors and program design, eight in interpersonal factors, and two in intrapersonal factors. This study systematically classified the antecedents of psychological safety in competitive sports and showed areas yet to be clarified and perspectives requiring further research. Future studies should explore these areas empirically and develop evidence-based intervention methods to improve psychological safety.