This study looked at the role of goal orientation and perceived competence, as well as interaction of the two, in young the athletes. Past research has suggested that task orientation more often than ego orientation protects sport participants from disappointments and lack of motivation, especially when ego orientation is combined with low perceived ability. Accordingly, emphasis on task orientation and high perceived competence should lead to a greater persistence, and a reduced dropout rate, when an athlete`s performance is exceeded by others in competitive situations. A prospective, longitudinal design was used to determine causal effects over a 3.5 years period (2002 to 2005) in Finnish junior athletes (n=1,747). The authors found that self-reported task orientation and perceived competence correctly predicted sustained participation in competitive athletics in 70.1% of cases. In contrast to findings in past literature, it appears that ego orientation does not seem to play any role in predicting persistence. The results suggest that the investigation of goal orientation together with perceived competence may provide additional information concerning young athletes` persistence in sport, even in the face of failures and disappointments, and help to inform strategies to reduce dropout.
© Copyright 2013 New Studies in Athletics. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator