Supervisors info:
Σταύρου Νεκτάριος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Επιστήμης Φυσικής Αγωγής και Αθλητισμού, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
In exercise and sports, personality characteristics, type of motivation and goal orientation affect both the participation and the performance of the athletes. The contribution of each individual factor as well as the combination of the three is important, however, especially as regards the combination of those three factors, research is limited. The purpose of the present study is the investigation of the relation between the personality dimensions, goal orientation and type of motivation of the athlete. 93 athletes (54 men, 39 women) participated in this study (mean age 24,74 ± 4,51 years and experience 12,42 ± 5,44 years). The questionnaires used were the NEO Five Factor Inventory- NEO FFI, the Task and Ego Sport Orientation Questionnaire and the Sport Motivation Scale II, which the athletes completed in predisposition conditions, according to how they normally feel. The analyses results suggested the existence of statistically significant correlations between the factors of motivation with the personality of the athletes as well as their goals. In addition, significant inter-correlations were found among the personality factors as well as among the types of motivation. Finally, statistically significant differences between men and women and between beginners and experienced athletes were found in the personality and motivation factors. In conclusion, it appears that the personality of the athletes shapes the extent and the direction of their motives, significantly affecting the athletes’ effort and persistence in sport. The type and extent of the motives also varies depending on the athletes’ personal traits (gender, experience, level). Therefore, the latter should be taken into account by coaches, athletes and psychologists with the aim of increasing participation and performance of athletes.
