Can personal values moderate players’ affective states?

Abstract

AbstractBased on self-determination theory and Schwartz’s refined theory of basic individual values, the aim of the study was to examine whether adolescents’ personal values might be moderating the relationship between coaches’ perceptions of interpersonal styles, and the affect they experience in relation to their basketball practice. A sample of 233 Spanish male basketball players between 13 and 14 years of age (M = 13.97, SD = 0.18) who were participating in a national competition were assessed. The Spanish versions of the Sport Climate Questionnaire (SCQ), the Controlling Coach Behaviors Scale (CCBS), the Portrait Values Questionnaire-Revised (PVQ-R) and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were used to measure the variables of interest. Results reveal that for players who prioritize self-enhancement values, perceiving their coach as autonomy-supportive significantly reduces their negative affect. Moreover, prioritizing self-transcendence values neutralizes the positive effect of a controlling style on negative affect. This study highlights the relevance of identifying personal values in order to enhance positive affective states. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance for coaches to work using more autonomy-supportive strategies and avoid working with the use of controlling behaviors to promote positive affect and to prevent negative affect in order to avoid possible dropout from the sport.