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Published on: March 20, 2012
Using self-determination theory to explain sport persistence and dropout in adolescent athletes
Tomás García Calvo1, Eduardo Cervelló, Ruth Jiménez
1Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad s/n. 10071 Cáceres, Spain. tgarciac@unex.es
Adolescent athletes who felt less autonomy and relatedness were more likely to drop out of sports. Understanding these motivational factors is key to improving sport persistence for young athletes.
Area of Science:
- Sport Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Motivation Science
Background:
- Adolescents' motivation significantly impacts their persistence in sports.
- Self-determination theory provides a framework for understanding motivation in sport.
- Key psychological needs include autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the influence of self-determined motivation on sustained sport participation in adolescents.
- To investigate the role of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) in adolescent sport dropout.
- To apply Self-determination Theory to understand sport persistence and discontinuation.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 492 adolescent soccer players aged 13-17.
- Assessed motivational characteristics and psychological need satisfaction.
- Analyzed factors contributing to sport dropout versus continued participation.
Main Results:
- Higher amotivation, external regulation, and introjected regulation predicted sport dropout.
- Lower satisfaction of relatedness and autonomy needs was linked to discontinuing sport participation.
- Findings align with Self-determination Theory's principles regarding motivation and need fulfillment.
Conclusions:
- Addressing adolescent athletes' needs for autonomy and relatedness may reduce sport dropout.
- Motivational regulations and psychological need satisfaction are critical for sustained sport involvement.
- This research reinforces the applicability of Self-determination Theory in youth sport contexts.
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