GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PREFERENCES FOR COACHING AS AN OCCUPATION - THEROLE OF SELF-EFFICACY, VALENCE, AND PERCEIVED BARRIERS

This study investigated gender differences in the role of self-efficac y, occupational valence, valence of coaching, and perceived barriers i n preference to coach at the high school, 2-year college, Division III , Division II, and Division I levels. The participants, 191 Big Ten Un iversity Basketball players (94 men, 97 women), responded to a special ly constructed instrument. The genders did not differ in their coachin g self-efficacy, preferred occupational valence, and perceived barrier s. Relative to men, women perceived greater valence in coaching (p < . 001). Women with a female coach perceived greater valence in coaching (p < .05) and expressed less concern with perceived discrimination (p < .05) than those with a male coach. Perceived self-efficacy and prefe rred occupational valence were differentially related to the desire to coach at various levels. Working Hours most negatively affected the d esire to coach at every level (R > .20).