Despite the rampant abuse of referees in sports, including youth, there is no research on the impact this type of workplace violence has on the health of adolescents. Because of this gap, we are disadvantaged when it comes to making policy or prevention recommendations that can help keep youth safe and healthy. 

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Accordingly, this project’s primary aims are to examine the (1) short- and long-term impact of exposure to workplace violence on the physical and mental health of youth referees, (2) moderating effects of individual (e.g., gender) and contextual (e.g., workplace characteristics, provincial policies) factors on the relation between violence exposure and health, and (3) indirect effects on health in relation to workplace violence.  

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Three cohorts of youth soccer referees aged 12 to 16 from 3 provinces (Ontario, Saskatchewan, and BC) will be followed prospectively for 3 years. Participants will be assessed at the beginning and end of each soccer season and exposure to abuse will be measured after each game using a web app developed for this study. Results from this study will inform efficacious prevention programs designed to keep youth safe and healthy, with applications to all sports, and ultimately improve the working conditions of youth in sports and thus safeguard their health.   

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This research is funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).