This thesis explores how handball coaches recognize, understand, and respond to the psychosocial distress of young female handball players in the U15 category. The theoretical part presents adolescence and youth development, psychosocial challenges during this period, the role of sport as a social environment, handball as a team sport for adolescent girls, and the role of coaches and social work within the sports context.
The empirical part is based on a qualitative study conducted through semi-structured interviews with eight coaches working with female handball players in the U15 category. The aim was to examine which psychosocial changes and difficulties coaches observe among players, how they recognize them, how they respond to them, and what challenges and support needs they experience in their work.
The analysis of the interviews showed that coaches frequently observe various emotional and social difficulties related to adolescence, self-image, self-confidence, team relationships, school-related pressures, family circumstances, social media influence, and the demands of the sporting environment. Distress is most often recognized through changes in behavior, mood, communication, body language, withdrawal from the group, crying, or reduced motivation. Coaches emphasized the importance of trust, open communication, an individual approach, creating a safe environment, cooperation with parents, and referring players to additional sources of support when necessary. At the same time, they highlighted uncertainty regarding the boundaries of their role, the emotional demands of working with adolescents, and the need for additional education, training, and greater systemic support when addressing psychosocial issues among young athletes.
|
