Dataset : Coaches' Interpersonal Styles and Exercise Motivation in Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities

This dataset includes both qualitative and quantitative data collected from coaches of athletes with intellectual disabilities and the athletes themselves.

All data were gathered online or during the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, an international event where over 7000 athletes with intellectual disabilities participated in various sports, supported by approximately 3000 coaches.

Demographic data were initially collected from both athletes with intellectual disabilities and their coaches. Following this, participants engaged in two main data collection processes: (1) participation in semi-structured interviews, and (2) completion of questionnaires.

1. Semi-Structured Interviews

Semi-structured interviews were conducted separately with coaches and athletes with intellectual disabilities.

• Coaches’ interviews focused on their coaching practices, the quality of their relationships with athletes, and the needs and challenges they face in promoting inclusive sports participation.
• Athletes’ interviews were designed using simple, clear, and accessible language. The questions explored their motivation for exercise, their relationships with coaches, and their perspectives on the challenges and needs related to inclusive sports participation.

2. Questionnaires

Coaches’ Questionnaires:

• Interpersonal Behaviours Questionnaire – Self (IBQ-Self):
  This 24-item questionnaire measures coaches’ self-perceptions of their interpersonal behaviours within the framework of Self-Determination Theory. It includes six subscales assessing autonomy-supportive, autonomy-thwarting (controlling), competence-supportive, competence-thwarting, relatedness-supportive, and relatedness-thwarting behaviours. The scale has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including internal consistency and construct validity in sport settings.
• Coach–Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q):
  This 11-item measure evaluates coaches’ perceptions of their relationship with athletes across three dimensions: closeness, complementarity, and commitment. It is a widely used and validated tool that offers reliable insights into the quality of coach–athlete relationships.

Athletes with intellectual disabilities Questionnaires:

• Pictorial Motivation Scale (PMS) in Physical Activity:
  Designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities who may not be able to read independently, this 16-item pictorial scale assesses exercise motivation across four subscales: intrinsic motivation, non-self-determined extrinsic motivation, self-determined extrinsic motivation, and amotivation. The scale is based on Self-Determination Theory and has demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for this population.
• Mini MANS-LD:
  This 9-item self-report measure assesses quality of life among individuals with intellectual disabilities. It was designed to be conceptually relevant, easy to administer, and suitable for individuals with varying levels of communication abilities.
• SPAIM (Single-Item Physical Activity Intention Measure):
  This one-item measure evaluates the intention of individuals with intellectual disabilities to engage in physical activity. It offers a quick and validated method for capturing participants’ PA intentions.