These dynamics may become substantially more complex where young athletes possess histories of adverse childhood experiences, previous family-system disruption, or removal from unsafe environments. Existing trauma and attachment literature has consistently identified that children exposed to neglect, violence, substance misuse, chronic instability, or inconsistent caregiving frequently develop heightened sensitivity toward attachment rupture, abandonment fear, relational unpr

Within athlete welfare and transitional safeguarding systems, mediation processes are frequently approached as mechanisms for conflict resolution, behavioural accountability, or relational repair. In high-performance and residential environments, these processes may occur following interpersonal incidents, family breakdown, allegations, placement instability, team conflict, or legal intervention. While mediation can provide important opportunities for communication and struct