Ego-involving Climate Research Articles

Predicting athletes’ functional and dysfunctional emotions: The role of the motivational climate and motivation regulations

ABSTRACTThis study examined the relationships between perceptions of the motivational climate, motivation regulations, and the intensity and functionality levels of athletes’ pleasant and unpleasant emotional states. Specifically, we examined the hypothesised mediational role of motivation regulations in the climate–emotion relationship. We also tested a sequence in which emotions were assumed to be predicted by the motivational climate dimensions and then served as antecedents to variability in motivation regulations. Participants (N = 494) completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing targeted variables. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that a perceived task-involving climate was a positive predictor of autonomous motivation and of the impact of functional anger, and a negative predictor of the intensity of anxiety and dysfunctional anger. Autonomous motivation was a partial mediator of perceptions of a task-involving climate and the impact of functional anger. An ego-involving climate was a positive predictor of controlled motivation, and of the intensity and impact of functional anger and the intensity of dysfunctional anger. Controlled motivation partially mediated the relationship between an ego-involving climate and the intensity of dysfunctional anger. Good fit to the data also emerged for the motivational climate, emotional states, and motivation regulations sequence. Findings provide support for the consideration of hedonic tone and functionality distinctions in the assessment of athletes’ emotional states.

Native American football coaches’ experience of a motivational climate collaboration with sport psychology researchers

This study explored the effects of a motivational climate collaboration based on Achievement Goal Perspective Theory and a caring framework between a Native American collegiate football coaching staff and sport psychology researchers. Observations conducted during the implementation of the motivational climate collaboration revealed that three of the eight coaches were less caring and more ego-involving in their coaching style. These three coaches were selected to participate in interviews at the end of the season to explore their experiences of the collaboration. Analysis of interviews revealed the following themes: (a) previous experiences in ego-involving climates; (b) tension in moving from theory to practice; (c) connecting theory to practice; and (d) transformations in coaching philosophies. This study highlights how a theory-based motivational climate collaboration between coaches and sport psychology researchers had a transformative effect for three coaches.

An Assessment Of Australian Judo Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Motivational Climate, Mindfulness, Aggression, And Social Skills

PURPOSE: The current study employed the Achievement Goal Perspective Theory (AGPT), Caring Framework (CF), and Mindfulness (MF). The purpose of this study was to examine interrelationships among perceived motivational climate, mindfulness, aggression, and social skills with a sample of Australian judo practitioners. METHODS: Australian judo practitioners (N=30) volunteered to complete the survey consists of motivational climate (caring: CC; task-involving: TIC; ego-involving climate: EIC), mindfulness (MF), aggression (AG), and social skills (SS). This study obtained the permission from the Human Ethics Committee of Konan University. RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients were satisfactory for each construct ranged from .75 to .86. Descriptive statistics provided means of composite scores (M) and standard deviations (SD): M=4.43, SD=.48 (CC); M=4.04, SD=.58 (TIC); M=2.68, SD=.70 (EIC); M=2.76, SD=.43 (MF); M=2.08, SD=.71 (AG); M=3.88, SD=.43 (SS). Pearson correlation analyses revealed significant associations (p<.05, 2-tailed) between: 1. CC and TIC (.46). 2. CC and EIC (-.54). 3. EIC and AG (.46). 4. MF and SS (.50). 5. AG and SS (-.38). Finally, three significant liner regression models were highlighted: 1. Judo practitioners’ perceptions of EIC were significant positive predictor for their AG (Beta=.47; R square= .21; p<.05). 2. Judo practitioners’ self-evaluated SS were significant negative predictor for their AG (Beta=-.63; R square= .14; p<.05). 3. Judo practitioners’ MF was significant positive predictor for their SS (Beta=.49; R square= .25; p<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed three key points: 1. Judo practitioners who perceived high EIC on their dojo (team) were more likely to report high in AG. 2. Those who self-evaluated high in SS were inclined to report low in AG. 3. Those who reported high in MF were apt to report high in SS. These summaries were discussed with the perspectives of AGPT, CF, MF, and the original philosophy/purpose of judo. Future research should consider a larger sample size and longitudinal approach for further examination.

Suitability of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 for Dance Research: A Think Aloud Approach.

The Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2) adapted for dance has been employed in a variety of dance settings. However, the content validity of the measure and the relevance of particular subscales (e.g., Intra-Team Member Rivalry) have been questioned. Thus, the aims of this study were twofold: first, to examine the content validity of the PMCSQ-2 and identify problematic items and the nature and frequency of such problems experienced by dancers completing the measure; and second, to determine whether the content of task-involving and ego-involving climates, as captured in the subscales of the PMCSQ-2, are relevant and meaningful in dance contexts. Think aloud interviews were conducted with 21 dancers (10 male, 11 female) representing diverse types and levels of dance experience. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and segmented into text related to each item in the PMCSQ-2. Each participant's responses were individually analyzed, with the nature and frequency of problems encountered recorded in relation to five potential causes: errors in understanding, interpretation, retrieval, judgment, and responding. Think aloud interviews revealed that 72% of the participant responses presented no problem, indicating that the measure has an acceptable degree of content validity. However, the findings highlight a number of potentially problematic areas that warrant further attention. Implications for the interpretation of previous research and the conduct of future research employing the PMCSQ-2 in dance as well as other achievement contexts (e.g., sport) are discussed.

Effects of an Intervention With a University Recreation Center Staff to Foster a Caring, Task-Involving Climate

This study examined the effects of a university recreation center intervention aimed at increasing members’ perceptions of a caring, task-involving climate. In addition, members’ perceptions of staff behaviors and their own behaviors were measured. College students (N = 282) completed questionnaires before and after an intervention designed to increase perceptions of a caring, task-involving climate. Results revealed the intervention did increase members’ perceptions of the caring, task-involving climate while reducing perceptions of the ego-involving climate. Members’ perceptions of the staff and their own positive behaviors also increased. The staff’s behaviors predicted members’ perceptions of the three types of climates; moreover, members’ perceptions of the ego-involving climate negatively predicted their caring, task-involving behaviors. The study suggests that members’ perceptions of the climate can be positively influenced through minimal training with recreation center staff and that the behaviors in which the staff engage are an antecedent to members’ perceptions of the motivational climate.

The Effects of Motivational Climate Interventions on Psychobiosocial States in High School Physical Education

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of task- and ego-involving climate manipulations on students' climate perception and psychobiosocial (PBS) states in a physical education setting. Method: Two subsamples of female students (N = 108, 14–15 years of age) participated in 12 lessons on either a task- or an ego-involving climate intervention as grounded in the TARGET (tasks, authority, recognition, grouping, evaluation, and time) model. Results: At the end of the treatment, the participants of the ego-involved group reported lower scores in the perceived task-involving climate and higher scores in the perceived ego-involving climate compared with their peers in the task-involved group. Lower scores in pleasant/functional PBS states and higher scores in unpleasant/dysfunctional PBS states were also observed in the ego-involved group as a consequence of the intervention. Conclusion: Findings suggested that teachers' induced achievement motivational climates can influence students' perceptions and prompt PBS states consistent with the motivational atmosphere.

Multidisciplinary predictors of adherence to contemporary dance training: findings from the UK Centres for Advanced Training

Little is known about the predictors of adherence in a dance context. The aim of this study was to investigate adherence to a dance talent programme using a multidisciplinary set of variables representing psychological correlates of adherence, maturation and physical factors relating to dance talent. Psychological (passion, motivational climate perceptions, eating attitudes), physical competence (vertical jump height, handgrip strength, hamstring flexibility, external hip rotation, aerobic fitness), and maturation-related (age of menarche) variables were gathered from female students enrolled on a dance talent programme. Participation behaviour (adherence/dropout) was collected from the talent programme’s records approximately two years later. Logistic regression analysis of 287 participants revealed that greater levels of harmonious passion predicted greater likelihood of adherence to the programme, and greater ego-involving motivational climate perceptions predicted less likelihood of adherence. Neither measures of physical competence nor maturation distinguished adhering from dropout participants. Overall, the results of this study indicate that psychological factors are more important than physical competence and maturation in the participation behaviour of young talented dancers.

College Exercise Class Climates, Physical Self-Concept, and Psychological Well-Being

This study examined the relationship between college students’ perceptions of the motivational climate (i.e., caring, task- and ego-involving) in physical activity courses to their physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. Midwestern university undergraduates (N = 412), enrolled in group physical activity classes, completed the following measures: class climate, physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that students who perceived a caring, task-involving climate were more likely to report high physical self-concept, hope, and happiness. A gender comparison found that while perceptions of the ego-involving climate were significantly higher for males, the ego climate did not significantly contribute to the males’ canonical correlation. In addition, while physical self-concept was positively associated with climate for both genders, males were more likely to experience higher physical self-concept than females. Results suggest positive and supportive exercise environments may not only help individuals reap the physical benefits of exercise but also the psychological benefits.

The preliminary development and validation of the Doping Confrontation Efficacy Scale

ObjectivesAlthough coaches recognize their role in preventing doping, research has shown that they lack self-confidence in how to deal with athletes whom they suspect of doping. Considering the importance of this efficacy, the current study was designed to develop and validate a measure of coaches' efficacy to confront doping athletes. Coaches' perception of motivational climate (i.e., ego- or task-oriented) was used to provide evidence for the predictive validity of coaches' doping confrontation efficacy. DesignA survey-based study was conducted to develop a theoretically-based, psychometrically-sound scale. The scale was designed according to Bandura's (1997) guidelines for efficacy measures, and based in the conceptual framework of Newell and Stutman's (1991) Social Confrontation Model. A sample of 560 coaches of high school athletes completed the Doping Confrontation Efficacy Scale (DCES) and a modified version of the Perceived Motivation Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (Newton, Duda & Yin, 2000). ResultsA 21-item version of the DCES showed acceptable psychometric properties, including a good fit of the data to the proposed five-factor model of the construct (CFI = .967, TLI = .962, RMSEA = .040, SRMR = .037). Structural equation modeling revealed that coaches' confrontational efficacy is significantly predicted by coaches' perceptions of motivational climate, specifically, that it is positively related to task-involving climate and negatively related to ego-involving climate.. ConclusionThe DCES is a valid and reliable measure of a very specific domain of coaching efficacy. This measurement can be useful in helping address significant gaps in both basic and applied research in the field.

Motivational Climate, Staff and Members' Behaviors, and Members' Psychological Well-Being at a National Fitness Franchise

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between members' perceptions of staff's behaviors, motivational climate, their own behaviors, commitment to future exercise, and life satisfaction in a group-fitness setting. The theory-driven hypothesized mediating role of perceptions of the climate was also tested. Method: Members (N = 5,541) of a national group-fitness studio franchise completed a survey regarding their class experiences. The survey included questions that measured participants' perceptions of the motivational climate (caring, task-involving, ego-involving), perceptions of staff's behaviors, their own behaviors, commitment to exercise, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling was used to assess both the association between variables and the theoretically driven predictive relationships. Results: The participants perceived the environment as highly caring and task-involving and low ego-involving. They reported high exercise commitment and moderately high life satisfaction and perceived that the staff's and their own behaviors reflected caring, task-involving characteristics. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that those who perceived a higher caring, task-involving climate and lower ego-involving climate were more likely to report more task-involving, caring behaviors among the staff and themselves as well as greater commitment to exercise. In addition, a theory-driven mediational model suggested that staff behaviors may be an antecedent to members' exercise experiences by impacting their perceptions of the climate. Conclusions: The results of this study give direction to specific behaviors in which staff of group-fitness programs might engage to positively influence members' exercise experiences.

A dancer's well-being: The influence of the social psychological climate during adolescence

ObjectivesResearch suggests promoting task-involving dance climates is beneficial to well-being (Quested & Duda, 2009, 2010). Likewise, caring climates are integral to optimizing well-being (Fry et al., 2012). However, perceptions of a caring climate have not been examined in dance studios and little is known about the relationship between perceptions of a broader climate and aspects of psychological well-being. This study examined the relationship between perceptions of the social psychological climate (task-involving, ego-involving, and caring) and aspects of psychological well-being (positive and negative affect, body-esteem, and teacher and peer friendship quality) in adolescent dancers. DesignCross-sectional correlational design. MethodEighty-three female dancers (M age = 16.28 ± .93) self-reported well-being and perceptions of their studio's dance climate. ResultsPerceptions of task-involving and caring climates were related to better positive affect, body-esteem, and relationships with teachers and peers (r range: .33–.68). Two climate cluster profiles emerged: a Positive Climate (n = 57) with lower ego-involving and greater task-involving and caring climate perceptions and a Mixed Climate (n = 26) with higher ego-involving and lesser task-involving and caring climate perceptions. MANOVA revealed significant differences (V = 0.266, F (6, 76) = 4.59, p < .001) between the profiles on well-being. Discriminant function analysis showed dancers in the Positive Climate cluster reported greater body esteem, more friends, and less negative affect than dancers in the Mixed Climate cluster. ConclusionsPromoting a task-involving and caring climate and de-emphasizing an ego-involving climate is an effective strategy for promoting well-being in dancers.

Perceived motivational team climate in relation to task and social cohesion among male college athletes

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceptions of the motivational team climate and task and social cohesion among male college athletes. Basketball and soccer players (n = 179) completed two response measures, the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-II (Newton, Duda, & Yin) and the Group Environment Questionnaire (GEQ; Carron, Widmeyer, & Brawley) before practice in a team setting near the end of the competitive season. Hierarchical linear modeling analysis revealed that individual perceptions of a task-involving climate positively predicted, and perceptions of an ego-involving climate negatively predicted, individual-attraction-to-group task cohesion. Further analysis indicated that perceptions of a task-involving climate also significantly predicted individual-attraction-to-group social cohesion and group-integration task cohesion. Perceptions of an ego-involving climate failed to demonstrate any other predictive value in relation to team cohesion. Discussion underscores the beneficial nature of a task-involving motivational team climate in regard to the formation and development of task and social cohesion among competitive male college athletes.

A longitudinal examination of the relationship between perfectionism and motivational climate in dance.

The present study examined the relationship between dance-related perfectionism and perceptions of motivational climate in dance over time. In doing so, three possibilities were tested: (a) perfectionism affects perceptions of the motivational climate, (b) perceptions of the motivational climate affect perfectionism, and (c) the relationship is reciprocal. Two hundred seventy-one young dancers (M = 14.21 years old, SD = 1.96) from UK Centres for Advanced Training completed questionnaires twice, approximately 6 months apart. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that perfectionistic concerns led to increased perceptions of an ego-involving climate and decreased perceptions of a task-involving climate over time. In addition, perceptions of a task-involving climate led to increased perfectionistic strivings over time. The findings suggest that perfectionistic concerns may color perceptions of training/performing environments so that mistakes are deemed unacceptable and only superior performance is valued. They also suggest that perceptions of a task-involving climate in training/performing environments may encourage striving for excellence and perfection without promoting excessive concerns regarding their attainment.

The Efforts of Sport Psychology Professionals to Assist Sport Administrators in Evaluating Youth Sport Programs

This study highlights how sport psychology professionals can assist sport administrators in evaluating and strengthening youth sport programs. A sport psychology research team provided expertise to two sport administrators to develop a survey to examine their athletes’ experiences participating in the programs. The study examines the relationship between athletes’ perceptions of the climate (caring, task, and ego involving) to their intrinsic motivation, caring behaviors, and future intention to participate in the sport. Volleyball clinic (Sample 1: N = 71) and basketball summer camp (Sample 2: N = 138) participants completed the survey. Canonical correlation analyses for each sample revealed one significant function indicating that the athletes’ perceptions of a caring/task-involving climate, along with low perceptions of an ego-involving climate, were associated with higher levels of intrinsic motivation, caring behaviors, and future desire to participate. Sport administrators can use this information for coach training, parent education and overall program evaluation.

Association Between Females’ Perceptions of College Aerobic Class Motivational Climates and Their Responses

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between female college students’ perceptions of the motivational climate in their aerobics classes to their adaptive exercise responses. Data were collected from university group exercise classes in spring 2008. The participants (N = 213) responded to a questionnaire measuring perceptions of the climate (i.e., caring, task-, and ego-involving), correlates of intrinsic motivation (i.e., interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, effort/importance, and tension/pressure), commitment to exercise, and reasons for exercising. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that participants who perceived a predominately caring, task-involving climate reported higher interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, effort/importance, and commitment to exercise, as well as lower tension/pressure. Further, those who perceived a high caring, task-involving, and low ego-involving climate were also more likely to report more health-related reasons for exercise versus appearance-focused reasons. Results suggested that important motivational benefits might exist when women perceive caring, task-involving climates in their aerobics class settings. Aerobics class instructors who intentionally create caring, task-involving climates may promote more adaptive motivational responses among their female participants.

Coach-Initiated Motivational Climate and Cohesion in Youth Sport

Purpose: The general purpose of the present study was to examine the link between cohesion and motivational climate in youth sport. The first specific objective was to determine if relationships demonstrated in previous research with adult basketball and handball participants would be replicated in a younger sample and with a more heterogeneous set of sports. The second specific objective was to examine whether sources of athlete enjoyment moderate the relationships between motivational climate and cohesion. Method: Athletes (N = 997; 532 girls and 465 boys; M age = 15.26 ± 1.20 years) completed measures pertaining to coach-initiated motivational climate, cohesion, and sources of enjoyment. Results: Bivariate and canonical correlations revealed positive correlations between perceptions of a task-involving motivational climate and both task and social cohesion, while ego-involving motivational climate was negatively related. Cluster analyses suggested that individuals perceiving a low task-involving climate and high ego-involving climate perceived their teams as less cohesive. Finally, the degree to which participants derived enjoyment through other-referenced competency served as a moderator in the motivational climate–task cohesion relationship. Specifically, the relationship between task cohesion and motivational climate was more pronounced for those individuals who were less likely to derive enjoyment through other-referenced competency. Conclusions: Youth athletes' perceptions of coach-initiated motivational climate are related to cohesion. This relationship is, however, moderated by the degree to which athletes derive enjoyment through other-referenced competency. Motivational climate is an important variable to consider within team-building protocols intent on developing cohesion.

The Influence of a Motivational Climate Intervention on Participants’ Salivary Cortisol and Psychological Responses

Research in achievement goal perspective theory suggests that the creation of a caring/task-involving (C/TI) climate results in more advantageous psychological and behavioral responses relative to an ego-involving (EI) climate; however, research has not yet examined the physiological consequences associated with psychological stress in relation to climate. Given the possible health and fitness implications of certain physiological stress responses, it is critical to understand this association. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine whether an EI climate procures increases in the stress-responsive hormone cortisol, as well as negative psychological changes, following the learning of a new skill, compared with a C/TI climate. Participants (n = 107) were randomized to a C/TI or an EI climate in which they learned how to juggle for 30 min over the course of 2 hr. Seven salivary cortisol samples were collected during this period. Results indicated that EI participants experienced greater cortisol responses after the juggling session and significantly greater anxiety, stress, shame, and self-consciousness relative to C/TI participants. In contrast, the C/TI participants reported greater enjoyment, effort, self-confidence, and interest and excitement regarding future juggling than the EI participants. These findings indicate that motivational climates may have a significant impact on both the physiological and psychological responses of participants.

The Psychometric Properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

Given the potential benefits of understanding how climate may influence individuals' motivational outcomes, there exists a need for instrumentation measuring exercise setting climates. The purpose of this study was to validate further the psychometric properties of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire (Huddleston, Fry & Brown, 2012), developed to assess motivational climates in exercise settings. Current members of a university fitness center (N = 779, Mage = 20.33, SD = 3.31) were asked to complete a survey that included their perceptions of the task- and ego-involving climate, caring climate, and positive and negative mood. Using confirmatory factor analysis, the factor structure of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire was established. In addition, both the caring climate and positive and negative mood states were examined to add to the ongoing construct validation of the instrument. Results revealed support for a 27-item Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire. Implications for the need for the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire in exercise settings are discussed.

P.6.d.001 The effects of MDMA pre-treatment on behavioural responses to mephedrone in the rat

Although coaches recognize their role in preventing doping, research has shown that they lack self-confidence in how to deal with athletes whom they suspect of doping. Considering the importance of this efficacy, the current study was designed to develop and validate a measure of coaches' efficacy to confront doping athletes. Coaches' perception of motivational climate (i.e., ego- or task-oriented) was used to provide evidence for the predictive validity of coaches' doping confrontation efficacy.A survey-based study was conducted to develop a theoretically-based, psychometrically-sound scale. The scale was designed according to Bandura's (1997) guidelines for efficacy measures, and based in the conceptual framework of Newell and Stutman's (1991) Social Confrontation Model. A sample of 560 coaches of high school athletes completed the Doping Confrontation Efficacy Scale (DCES) and a modified version of the Perceived Motivation Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (Newton, Duda & Yin, 2000).A 21-item version of the DCES showed acceptable psychometric properties, including a good fit of the data to the proposed five-factor model of the construct (CFI = .967, TLI = .962, RMSEA = .040, SRMR = .037). Structural equation modeling revealed that coaches' confrontational efficacy is significantly predicted by coaches' perceptions of motivational climate, specifically, that it is positively related to task-involving climate and negatively related to ego-involving climate..The DCES is a valid and reliable measure of a very specific domain of coaching efficacy. This measurement can be useful in helping address significant gaps in both basic and applied research in the field.

Predictors of sources of self-confidence in collegiate athletes

The present study examined the antecedents of athletes' reliance on Vealey's nine sources of confidence. Achievement goal-orientation, perfectionism, coach-induced motivational climates were examined as predictors. Sources of confidence were categorized into controllable (e.g. mastery) and uncontrollable (e.g. situational favorableness) sources of confidence. Past research indicated that controllable sources of confidence are critical for enduring levels of confidence. Participants in the present study included 206 intercollegiate athletes. Path analysis showed that adaptive perfectionism positively predicted both controllable and uncontrollable sources of confidence, whereas maladaptive perfectionism positively only predicted uncontrollable sources of confidence. Ego-goal orientation and ego-involving motivational climate were not significant predictors; however, task-goal orientation and task-involving motivational climate were positive predictors of both categories of sources. Results implicate that nurturing adaptive perfectionistic characteristics, task-goal orientation, and task-involving motivational climate would be critical to athletes' selection of controllable sources of confidence.