The Influence of Athletes’ Psychological Needs on Motivation, Burnout, and Well-Being: A Test of Self-Determination Theory

in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology

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Stephen Shannon Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Well-Being, Ulster University, Derry, Northern Ireland

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https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6720-8189 *
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Noel Brick School of Psychology, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland

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Garry Prentice Dublin Business School, Dublin, Ireland

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Gavin Breslin School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2022-0004
Keywords:
wellness; health; social environment; mental health
First Published Online:
31 Aug 2023
In Print:
Volume 17: Issue 4
Page Range:
409–428
Restricted access

Sport provides a significant role in the lives of athletes; however, both positive and negative mental health effects may occur from sporting experiences, including burnout and/or well-being. A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 685 athletes (Mage = 23.39, SD = 6.22, 71% = male), testing multiple, complementary, self-determination theory hypotheses linked to well-being, and burnout. A multistage modeling approach encompassing confirmatory factor and path analysis was utilized, with results showing significant variance explained for well-being (R2 = .30) and burnout (R2 = .35). Several direct effects were found in line with self-determination theory, including between; needs-support and needs-satisfaction (β = 0.48), and needs-control and needs-frustration (β = 0.44); needs-satisfaction and motivational orientation (β = 0.25); needs-satisfaction and well-being (β = 0.37), and needs frustration and burnout (β = 0.25); and motivational orientation and burnout (β = −0.27), and motivational orientation and well-being (β = 0.18). Indirect effects were found for well-being and burnout via coach needs-support, needs-satisfaction, and motivational orientation in sequence (β = 0.24 and β = −0.22, respectively), in addition to burnout via coach needs-control, needs frustration, and motivational orientation in sequence (β = −0.12). To conclude, coach-based, sporting mental health interventions that promote the utilization of needs-supportive behaviors, while also highlighting the need to minimize needs-controlling behaviors, are recommended for the prevention of burnout and the promotion of well-being in athletes.

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