ABSTRACT

This study assessed the mental health status of participants and their coping strategies in relation to work-life balance, discrimination and bias, job satisfaction, training and support programs, and resilience. The primary focus was on evaluating participants’ coping strategies, including active coping, suppression of competing activities, seeking social support for instrumental and emotional reasons, positive reinterpretation and growth, behavioral management, and mental management. Additionally, the study examined significant differences in participants’ coping strategies and the relationship between mental health and coping mechanisms among Chinese women football referees. The findings revealed significant correlations between mental health factors—such as sense of purpose, self-development and growth, and positive self-concept and coping strategies, including cognitive coping, emotional coping, and social support networks. The study highlights the crucial role of coping strategies in maintaining and enhancing mental well-being. It underscores the importance of integrating emotional regulation and social support mechanisms into referee training and development programs. Strengthening these skills can help referees navigate the pressures and challenges of their roles more effectively, ultimately improving their performance and job satisfaction. The strong correlations between coping strategies and mental health suggest that interventions aimed at enhancing coping mechanisms could significantly improve referees’ overall mental well-being. As a result, a plan of action was developed to address the challenges participants face in maintaining mental health and adopting effective coping strategies for stress management.

Keywords: Mental health, sense of purpose, coping strategies, cognitive, adaptability, football referees
https://doi.org/10.57180/vujw5967