Abstract
Purpose: Leadership has been considered an important part of advancing the profession, but investigations into leadership styles of clinically practicing athletic trainers (ATs) are scant, with none in the secondary school setting. The purpose of this study was to explore the leadership styles of secondary school ATs and to determine if differences in leadership style practices exist across demographic characteristics. Methods: We used a cross-sectional web-based survey (Qualtrics, Provo, UT). Leadership style was assessed via the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ)-5x where transformational, transactional, and passive/avoidant leadership behaviors were measured on a five-point Likert scale (0=not at all; 1=once in a while; 2=sometimes; 3=fairly often; 4=frequently, if not always). The survey was distributed to a randomized sample of athletic trainers identified using the Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) Project database. A total of 472 respondents (age=37±11 years; years certified=14±10; years secondary school=12±9) completed the survey yielding an 18.2% response rate. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic variables and predominant leadership styles of the respondents. Results: Secondary school ATs practice transformational leadership behaviors (2.99±0.47) more often than transactional (2.37±0.56) or passive/avoidant behaviors (.79±.51). The transformational leadership behavior of individualized consideration was practiced most often (3.16 ± 0.56). The demographic characteristics of having a professional leadership role, serving as a preceptor, having didactic leadership education, and pursuing leadership development courses outside of their formal education were found to have higher transformational leadership scores (p≤.05). Transactional leadership behavior ratings were higher in male respondents and those who had previous leadership training within formal education and outside of formal education (pConclusions: Leadership behaviors are practiced by secondary school ATs similarly to other healthcare professions. Secondary school ATs predominantly use transformational leadership behaviors, specifically those relating to mentoring, developing standards for compliance, and using forward thinking in decision making. Formal and informal leadership development training is important factors for transformational leadership practices and should be utilized as support in an athletic trainer’s professional role.
Recommended Citation
Coleman KA, Singe SM. Self Perception of Leadership Styles and Behavior in Secondary School Athletic Trainers. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Apr 15;23(2), Article 27.
