Exploring the interplay between gender, self-concept, motivation, and basic psychological needs among high school
1Nord University, Bodø, Norway.
Frontiers in Psychology
|April 24, 2026
Summary
Gender and self-concept in student athletes show complex links. While overall self-concept is similar, females excel in emotional self-concept, impacting motivation and psychological needs differently.
Area of Science:
- Sports Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Adolescent Development
Background:
- Self-concept, motivation, and psychological needs are crucial for adolescent development, particularly in sports settings.
- Understanding gender-specific nuances in these areas is vital for tailored interventions.
- Previous research indicates varied relationships, necessitating further exploration in sports-oriented high school programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gender and self-concept in high school athletes.
- To examine the interconnections among self-concept, motivation, and basic psychological needs.
- To explore how different facets of self-concept predict motivational orientations and psychological need satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 215 high school students (aged 16-18) in sports programs participated.
- Data were collected using the Five-Factor Self-Concept Questionnaire, Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale, and Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-II).
- Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and AMOS.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in overall self-concept between genders; females scored higher in emotional self-concept.
- Academic self-concept positively correlated with intrinsic motivation and negatively with amotivation.
- Academic self-concept positively related to autonomy, competence, and relatedness; emotional self-concept linked to less autonomous motivation.
Conclusions:
- Self-concept is multidimensional, influencing motivation and psychological needs in student athletes.
- Emotional self-concept may indicate motivational vulnerability, while family and social self-concepts predict autonomous motivation and relatedness.
- Findings highlight the intricate interplay of gender, self-concept, motivation, and psychological needs in adolescent sports participants.
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