Longitudinal changes in basic psychological needs and performance perceptions in specialized sport schools at the...

Area of Science:

• Sport Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Self-determination theory (SDT) is crucial for understanding psychosocial dynamics in specialized sport schools.
• Understanding student experiences requires examining basic psychological needs and perceived performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental trajectories of autonomy, competence, and relatedness satisfaction in adolescent athletes.
• To analyze the relationship between need satisfaction and perceived performance over three years.
• To explore gender differences in these developmental patterns.

Main Methods:

• Latent growth curve modeling was employed to analyze longitudinal data.
• 239 lower secondary specialized sport school students participated over three academic years.
• Data collection included fall and spring semester self-reports on need satisfaction and perceived performance.

Main Results:

• Average basic psychological need satisfaction remained stable, while perceived performance showed a slight decline.
• Significant individual variability existed in need satisfaction changes.
• Higher initial need satisfaction correlated with higher initial perceived performance; boys reported greater competence satisfaction and positive changes in autonomy and relatedness.

Conclusions:

• While overall need satisfaction is stable, perceived performance may decline, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Individual differences in need satisfaction trajectories are significant and warrant attention.
• Gender influences specific aspects of need satisfaction and performance perception, highlighting the need for tailored support in sport schools.