Date
12-16-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Laura E. Jones
Keywords
confidence, leadership, observational learning, self-efficacy, sports, student-athletes, role modeling, youth sports camps, women
Disciplines
Educational Leadership | Leadership Studies
Recommended Citation
Osei, Mercy-Nora, "Play, Instruct, Lead: Investigating the Influence Observing Same-Gender Role Models Has on Leadership Development of Collegiate Women Student-Athletes Coaching at Youth Sports Camps: A Phenomenological Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7866.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7866
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe how observing same-gender role models influenced the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes (CWSA) when coaching at youth sports camps (YSC) at NCAA institution campuses in the United States. The theory that guided this study was Albert Bandura’s theory on social learning, as it explained the relationship between observational learning and the influence role modeling had on leadership development. The central question was: How does observing same-gender role models influence the leadership development of collegiate women student-athletes when coaching at youth sports camps? This study used a transcendental phenomenological design to explore the experiences of CWSA coaching at YSC at NCAA institution campuses in the United States. The sample included 10 CWSA coaching at basketball and volleyball YSC. The setting included YSC, where CWSA served in coaching roles. Data was collected through questionnaires, individual interviews, and a letter-writing prompt. The results of the study indicated that YSCs are more than just a place for children to play sports; they are also highly overlooked environments for individualized leadership development and hands-on experience for CWSA. The study indicated that while campers were learning a new sport, CWSA were observing and learning from their peers and coaches, and putting new soft skills into practice. Additionally, the impostor theory was mitigated as the women gained self-confidence, as YSC challenge coaches to step outside their comfort zone when leading. The results showed that YSC can offer CWSA a direct pipeline to landing future leadership roles, which can ultimately help reduce the gender gap within the sports industry.
