Research article - (2007)06, 172 - 179
Young Athletes’ Motivational Profiles
Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia1,, Eduardo Cervelló Gimeno2, David González-Cutre Coll3
1Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Murcia,
2Faculty of Social and Juridical Sciences, Miguel Hernández University of Elche,
3Faculty of Humanities and Educational Sciences, University of Almería, Spain

Juan Antonio Moreno Murcia
✉ TEFAA Serres, Serres, 62100 Greece
Email: morenomu@um.es
Received: 05-05-2006 -- Accepted: 09-02-2007
Published (online): 01-06-2007

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between motivational characteristics and dispositional flow. In order to accomplish this goal, motivational profiles emerging from key constructs within Achievement Goal Theory and Self-Determination Theory were related to the dispositional flow measures. A sample of 413 young athletes (Age range 12 to 16 years) completed the PMCSQ-2, POSQ, SMS and DFS measures. Cluster analysis results revealed three profiles: a “self-determined profile ”characterised by higher scores on the task-involving climate perception and on the task orientation; a “non-self-determined profile”, characterised by higher scores on ego-involving climate perception and ego orientation; and a “low self-determined and low non-self-determined profile ”which had the lowest dispositional flow. No meaningful differences were found between the “self-determined profile ”and the “non-self-determined profile ”in dispositional flow. The “self-determined profile ”was more commonly associated with females, athletes practising individual sports and those training more than three days a week. The “non-self-determined profile ”was more customary of males and athletes practising team sports as well as those training just two or three days a week.

Key words: Self-determination, motivational climate, goal orientation, flow

Key Points
  • The “self-determined profile ”was characterized by high task orientation, high task-involving climate perception and was more commonly associated with females, athletes practising individual sports and those training more than three days a week.
  • The “non-self-determined profile ”was characterized by high ego orientation, high ego-involving climate perception and was more customary of males and athletes practising team sports as well as those training two or three days a week.
  • Both profiles revealed a moderate tendency toward dispositional flow, with no significant differences between the two profiles.
  • The “low self-determined and low non-self-determined profile ”had low scores on all of the variables in the study.








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