Relationships among Trait EI, Need Fulfilment, and Performance Strategies.

Barberis Barberis,Gugliandolo Gugliandolo,Calaresi Calaresi

doi:10.3390/jfmk4030050

Barberis Barberis, Gugliandolo Gugliandolo + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk4030050

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Abstract

Performance strategies used in sport have been the focus of many sport enhancement interventions, and are considered important factors for describing behavior in sport. Several studies have shown that both trait emotion intelligence (trait EI) and satisfaction of basic needs in sport are relevant aspects of performance strategies used by athletes; however, it seems these two aspects were never tested concurrently, in an integrated framework. The aim of this study was to test a mediational model of psychological basic needs in the relationship between trait EI and performance strategies in sports. In a sample of 187 participants, aged between 16 and 25 years old (Mage = 20.55; SD = 3.39), instruments were administered to measure trait EI, satisfaction of basic needs, and performance strategies in sport. Results of this study showed that trait EI was related to performance strategies in sport and to satisfaction of basic needs, as well as that satisfaction of basic needs was related to performance strategies in sport. Furthermore, satisfaction of basic needs has shown a mediational role in the relation between trait EI and performance strategies in sport.

Highlights

In recent years, many sport psychologists have been focused on exploring which psychological skills may have a relevant impact on the performance strategies adopted by athletes to achieve success in sports [1,2]
The purpose of this study was to test a mediational model in which the relationship between trait emotional intelligence (EI) and performance strategies in sport was mediated by need fulfilment
The results of this study, in line with the findings of this research field [1,22], showed that trait EI was positively related to performance strategies in sport, both in training and competition contexts, and positively related to need fulfilment, whereas need fulfillment was positively related to performance strategies in sport, both in training and competition contexts

Summary

Introduction

Many sport psychologists have been focused on exploring which psychological skills may have a relevant impact on the performance strategies adopted by athletes to achieve success in sports [1,2]. Focus their attention on the empowerment of such psychological aspects, as these are considered important factors for predicting behavior and performance in sport [5]. The conceptualization and measurement of athletes’ psychological strategies has been of great interest to sport psychologists [6]. Several studies have been focused on assessing the psychological strategies deployed by athletes, in consideration of their close link with performance in sport during both competition and training [7]. Psychological assessment is a fundamental prerequisite for any sport psychology intervention [8]

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