The buffering effects of virtual coaching during crisis: A quasi-experimental study of changes in well-being, work, and social outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

E.M. Auer, D. Hutchinson, E. Eatough, E.W. Carr, E.F. Sinar, G. Kellerman International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring 2022

We examined the buffering effects of virtual coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a pre-post quasi-experimental design, we compared change in well-being, social behaviour, and work outcomes for coached and non-coached samples (n = 1,005). We found that post-COVID outcomes were generally more positive for those who received coaching: they experienced positive gains in optimism, life satisfaction, authenticity, and productivity while those who did not receive coaching experienced a decline in those outcomes. Further, those who received coaching experienced larger growth in resilience and social connection. Changes in work engagement did not differ by group.