Interpersonal climate and moral conduct in competitive sport: A dual-route model with serial mediation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To investigate how coaching leadership styles influence athletes' moral conduct, this study explored the direct and indirect effects of democratic and autocratic leadership behaviors on prosocial and antisocial behaviors in sport.

Method

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,239 competitive athletes from multiple sports, measuring leadership perception, goal orientation, and moral disengagement.

Key results

Democratic leadership significantly predicted higher prosocial behavior and lower antisocial tendencies, while autocratic leadership showed the opposite pattern.

Implications

These effects were mediated by athletes' task and ego orientation, as well as their level of moral disengagement. The findings highlight the broader relevance of eth

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12755771 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature