The effects of climate, autonomy, relatedness and competency on self determination in college athletes

The purpose of this study was to address how climate (task mastery and performance ego) and psychological variables (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) relate to motivation (self-determination) in college athletes. The primary research question was: Do climate, autonomy, relatedness, and competence predict self-determination? A correlational research design was used in this study of 244 college athletes at a Division II National College Athletic Association (NCAA) urban university. Male and female team athletes from 15 sport teams were asked to complete the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2). These athletes were then asked to complete modified versions of the Needs Satisfaction, Need for Relatedness and Intrinsic Motivation Scales. Finally they were asked to complete the Sport Motivation Survey (SMS) and a short demographic survey. Pearson product moment correlation, stepwise multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling analyses were used to examine the relationship between climate, autonomy, relatedness and competency, and self-determination. The results of the analyses indicated that task mastery as a measure of climate was positively and significantly related to the three psychological variables and to self-determination; the three psychological variables were also related to self-determination. Performance ego was negatively related to autonomy. Based on the statistically significant paths obtained on these analyses, it appears that coaches who focus on hard work and learning, as opposed to competition, are more likely to have athletes who feel self-determined. Athletes who report feeling self-determined report lower levels of stress related to performance, positive experiences related to participation and improved relationships with teammates and coaches. As sports and team activities are a microcosm of society, the results of this study can be used in business and education to promote positive communications and productive behaviors.