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Using self-determination theory (SDT) as a framework, the purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of relationships among dimensions of the perceived motivational climate, athletes' need satisfaction, and self-determined motivation. Female high school-aged athletes (N = 200) from a variety of sports completed questionnaires assessing perceived motivational climate, perceived competence, autonomy, relatedness, and self-determined motivation. Preliminary analyses revealed that the dimensions of a mastery motivational climate positively related to the three needs and to self-determined motivation. Conversely, the dimensions of a performance climate generally negatively related to the three needs and to self-determined motivation. Further, the three needs positively related to self-determined motivation. Structural equation modeling revealed that perceived competence and autonomy positively predicted self-determined motivation. Additionally, punishment for mistakes negatively and indirectly predicted self-determined motivation through autonomy. Results are discussed in terms of SDT and coaching effectiveness.
There are countless answers to the question, "why do people do what they do." For instance, people may perform certain tasks in order to better themselves and develop a more integrated sense of self. On the other hand, people may act in order to obtain external outcomes. The same diversity of motives appears in athletes, who report many different reasons for their sport participation. They may, for example, participate for the simple love of the game, for recognition, or for money, among other reasons. Identifying the determinants of athletes' motivation is an important goal for coaches and practitioners, as this type of information can lead to the development and implementation of effective motivational strategies. Understanding motivation has also been a popular focus of research, where numerous social-contextual and interpersonal factors have been identified as potential determinants of motivation in athletes (see Weiss & Ferrer-Caja, 2002). The general goal of this study was to explore how athletes' perceptions of the motivational climate created by their coaches function as determinants of athletes' sport motivation.
A common approach used to understand motivation is Deci and Ryan's (1985, Ryan & Deci, 2000,2002) self-determination theory (SDT). According to this theory, the reasons behind athletes' motivation, or why they choose to participate, exert effort, and continue in an activity, can be organized along a continuum of self-determined behavior. At the most selfdetermined end of the continuum is intrinsic motivation (IM),...