Elite and non-elite male footballers differ in goal orientation and perceptions of parental climate

Abstract

This study examined whether elite and non-elite adolescent football players differ in goal orientation and perceptions of the motivational climate created by their parents. A total of 69 players recruited from a football academy (elite) and 49 players participating in recreational football (non-elite) completed measures assessing goal orientation and parent-initiated motivational climate. Compared to non-elite, elite players were significantly higher in task orientation, and had higher perceptions that their mother valued a motivational climate that emphasized learning and enjoyment, and lower perceptions that both parents created a climate in which success without effort was valued. The findings suggest that task orientation and a perceived parental environment that values effort and learning may facilitate high levels of sport achievement.