Individual Motivation Research Articles

Exploring Individual Components of Sport Persistence in the Light of Gender, Education, and Level and Type of Sport

Background/Objectives: Sport persistence can be coded as an indicator of sport performance and commitment, incorporating personality traits such as resilience, adaptive coping, and positive personality traits. Thus, athletes do not merely persist in sporting activities but are qualitatively committed to them. Methods: In the present research, we used a qualitative methodology to investigate the factors underlying sport persistence, using Bronfenbrenner’s socio-ecological model. In total, 133 high school and college student-athletes were surveyed in a semi-structured interview study. We set the following research question: How do the factors involved in developing sport persistence vary across athletes’ gender, level of study, and level and type of sport? Data were analyzed along the lines of grounded theory. ATLAS.ti and IBM SPSS 22.0 statistical software were used for the analysis. Results: Our analysis divided individual motivation into intrinsic (health promotion, habituation, becoming a competitive athlete, self-improvement, self-actualization, relaxation, and sport enjoyment) and extrinsic motivation (family-related motivation, coach, social relationships, competition, livelihood, recognition). The cross-tabulation analysis revealed that contrary to the general trend, no significant differences can be experienced in the core motivational patterns contributing to sport persistence. However, significant differences could be detected concerning the level of education, level of sporting activity, and type of sport. Conclusions: Our findings not only shed light on the unique factors underlying sport persistence, but also challenge the trends observed in traditional sport motivation analyses. This insight could potentially revolutionize how we approach youth sport promotion and physical activity among young people, making our research highly relevant and impactful.

A Enhanced Process for Examining Resumes and Organizing Candidates Through Statistical Methods

Selecting suitable applicants is an important part of the screening process in a recruitment consulting firm. In general, traditional recruiting practices are used by the majority of businesses and consulting organizations. The primary strategy is employing resume-based screening techniques to attract exceptionally skilled researchers and developers for high-tech enterprises. Typically, the organization evaluates the individual's qualifications, professional history, employment experience, motivations, specialist abilities, and past creative projects as shown in their résumé in order to select the most suited candidate. The study sought to examine and mechanize efficient screening techniques utilized by consulting firms, emphasizing the need of ongoing research in comprehending evolving customer requirements and enhancing the screening process. Various techniques typically employ automated image analysis and heuristic methods to extract tabular bioinformatics data from resumes, with the aim of gathering pertinent information. This research employs optical character recognition (OCR) as it circumvents the inherent automotive engineering of the document and has been demonstrated to be a viable approach. Resumes in PDF format were gathered via convenience sampling and systematic random sampling, and data was then extracted from the resume documents by OCR. The pertinent data is subsequently analyzed using statistical techniques such as the Chi-square test, percentage studies, and the weighted average approach based on factors such as experience, technical/non-technical skills, employability, career advancement, salary expectations, and role/designation expectations. The proposed approach empowered the selection of the appropriate resumes for the subsequent recruitment progression.. sections. Such references are made by indicating the section number, for example, “In Sec. 2 we showed...” or “Section 2.1 contained a description....” If the word Section, Reference, Equation, or Figure starts a sentence, it is spelled out. When occurring in the middle of a sentence, these words are abbreviated Sec., Ref., Eq., and Fig. At the first occurrence of an acronym, spell it out followed by the acronym in parentheses, e.g., charge-coupled diode (CCD). Key Words: Resume screening process; Optical character recognition; Recruitment; Chi-square test, subsequently analyzed pertinent data; efficient screening technique; appropriate resume; PDF;

Blended Learning: What Changes?

This article questions the changes brought about in the teaching system of university courses after the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning, once considered an experimental and emergency tool, is increasingly becoming a standard practice integrated into teaching delivery systems. This article examines the impact that blended learning has on the host city and how it is perceived and experienced by the key stakeholders. Focusing on two degree courses that employ a blended learning model, the article proposes a survey for teachers and students to investigate the problems and advantages of blended courses. In both groups, there is no consensus of opinion or a clear trend on any issue. This fragmentation of responses should be understood as stemming from the individual motivations, unique characteristics, and personal experiences of each participant, intertwined with their university careers. It also reflects the level of adaptation to blended teaching achieved by each individual. It becomes clear that blended teaching encompasses all the challenges of online teaching but also expands access to university education and offers the possibility of exploring the educational potential offered by technology. Blended learning encourages students to be more independent and to develop their capacity for self-directed learning, though not all students are prepared for this shift. For teachers, blended learning also demands a methodological shift, differentiating between online and in-person lessons. However, while challenges remain, the progress made so far appears promising for the future. To ensure continued success, it is essential to focus on improving internet access, strengthening students’ self-learning abilities, and simultaneously enhancing teachers’ competencies in using digital tools and facilitating remote teaching.

Academic adaptation of international students in the chinese higher education environment: A case study with mixed methods

Although the number of international students (ISs) studying in Chinese higher education institutions is growing, their academic adaptation experiences remain under-investigated. This study employed a case study with a convergent design to understand how ISs experienced academic adaptation. It was found that ISs’ academic adaptation is related to a series of individual (motivation, language proficiency, acculturation strategies) and sociocultural (support resources, intercultural training) factors as well as the interplay of the factors over time. At the group level, academic adaptation was positively associated with motivation, bilingual proficiency (Mandarin and English), the integration strategy, perceived support from Chinese teachers, and intercultural training, and negatively related to the marginalization strategy. Further qualitative findings through reflective journals explained how ISs’ motivational adjustments, their improvement in Mandarin and English proficiency, the adoption of integration in different situations, and the use of heterogeneous functions of intercultural training and support resources contributed to individual ISs’ academic journey in China. Informed by these empirical findings, this study offers implications for the support and training of ISs.

Toxicity by Game Design: How Players Perceive the Influence of Game Design on Toxicity

Toxicity in online games refers to behaviors where players disrupt the gaming experience of others, leading to adverse outcomes such as depression and low self-esteem. Although scholars have identified various factors contributing to toxicity, ranging from individual motivations to team dynamics to cultural backgrounds, the role of game design has been less frequently discussed. To bridge this gap, we conducted an interview study to explore players' perceptions of how game design influences toxicity. Our research identified four game design elements that participants perceived as contributing factors to the emergency of toxicity in their experiences: team interdependency, fairness, interaction design, and privacy. These findings help us shed light on how game design unintendedly triggers toxic intentions, exposes players to vulnerability, making them potential victims, and affects player interactions which lead to toxicity. We further propose design implications that can mitigate toxicity in online games.

Exploring the Lived Experiences of Members of a Faculty Research Hub Design Team in a College of Education at an HSI

ABSTRACT Researchers used a transcendental phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of faculty members in a Faculty Research Hub design team at a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Through data analysis, several themes emerged: (1) Support and leadership, (2) Commitment to improvement, (3) Individual motivation, (4) Structure and collaborative nature of the team, (5) Small team size with diverse expertise, and (6) Faculty learning and development. These themes align with the input, process, or outcome stages of Binkhorst et al.’s (2015) integrative descriptive framework for Teacher Design Teams (TDTs). The study suggests that Hispanic-Serving Institutions aspiring to become R1 institutions should consider implementing and evaluating Faculty Design Teams (FDTs) to enhance faculty research productivity and doctoral student success.

Motivation Profiles, Perceived Motivational Climate, Coping Perceptions and Anxiety Among Elite Young Ice Hockey Players

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sports motivation and several sports psychological variables (Perceived Motivational Climate, Coping Perceptions and Anxiety). The data were collected from Hungarian ice hockey players (n = 293) playing in the Hungarian hockey academy system, using the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2) and the Athletic Coping Skill Inventory-28 (ACSI-28) of Smith et al. (1995) and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) of Martens et al. (1990). The analysis revealed four significantly different individual sports motivation profiles, and these differed significantly in terms of athletes’ anxiety, coping, and perceived motivational climate. In addition, the research highlighted the importance of diagnosing and addressing amotivation to improve overall sports performance, self-confidence, and coping skills when facing adversity. Limitations and further research directions are also considered.

A Research on the Mediating Role of Gastronomic Elements in Travel Motivation

The main purpose of the research is to determine the mediating role of gastronomic elements that are effective in the travel motivation of individuals. In line with the literature review, a questionnaire based on the survey model was prepared in order to determine individuals' travel motivation, gastronomic elements that are effective in destination visit and individuals' thoughts about their anxiety or fear of new tastes and flavors (neophobia). With the help of the questionnaire prepared in accordance with its purpose, the necessary data for the research were obtained from 391 participants by using the convenience sampling method. According to the findings, both travel motivation and thoughts about gastronomic elements differ according to the demographic characteristics of individuals. It has also been determined that there is a significant relationship between travel motivation and gastronomic elements. Within the scope of the research, the effect of neophobia on travel motivation was also investigated.

The effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy: the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

The theory of motivation suggests that individual motivation is moderately stimulated to drive individuals to engage in the behaviors for which they are motivated. It is therefore that the moderate stimulation of exercise motivation will likely lead to the enhancement of college students' participation in exercise. Investigate the effect of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy, reveal the mediating role of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness, and provide empirical evidence improving college students' self-efficacy through exercise motivation. A stratified whole-sample approach was employed to survey 715 college students, based on a correlation table with good reliability and validity. Scale items were designed to collect subjects' exercise motivation, self-efficacy, leisure satisfaction, and mental toughness in the study context. Mediation effect analyses were carried out using SPSS and AMOS. A significant positive effect of exercise motivation on self-efficacy (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), leisure satisfaction (β = 0.50, p < 0.001), and mental toughness (β = 0.45, p < 0.001). Leisure satisfaction and mental toughness had a significant positive effect on self-efficacy (β = 0.40, p < 0.001; β = 0.30, p < 0.001). Furthermore, leisure satisfaction and mental toughness significantly mediated in exercise motivation and self-efficacy. In conclusion, our findings further explored the effects of exercise motivation on college students' self-efficacy and revealed the mediating roles of leisure satisfaction and mental toughness.

Latent classes of learners in people with type 2 diabetes, stratified by educational status: A cross-sectional study

ObjectiveResearch suggests that people with type 2 diabetes (PWT2D) exhibit different approaches to learning about disease-management. This study’s aims to identify distinct learner groups among PWT2D and stratify them by educational status (ES). MethodsCross-sectional data from 227 PWT2D, collected through 46 Likert-scale questions on learning behaviors, preferences, and attitudes, were analyzed using latent class analysis, to identify learner groups. Participants were recruited via healthcare practices in central Germany and a countrywide online survey. Group membership was displayed according to low, medium, and high ES, defined by years of schooling. ResultsFour learner groups were identified: casual, versatile, insecure, and theorist learners. Insecure learners accounted for almost half of all respondents in the low ES group (46 %), casual learners were most prevalent among PWT2D with a medium (27 %), versatile (34 %) and theorist (29 %) learners among those with a high ES. ConclusionThis study sheds light on learner groups among PWT2D, which differ by ES, suggesting social disparities in diabetes care. Further research is needed to validate these findings. Practice ImplicationsUnderstanding individual learning preferences and motivations is crucial for developing effective diabetes self-management trainings, which may involve providing additional background material for theorists and practical applications for insecure learners.

Digital academic platforms: Case studies of CEE (Hungary and Slovakia)

Present study evaluates the prevalence and academic usage of digital academic platforms exemplified by private universities across Hungary and Slovakia, assessing how these platforms are integrated into academic practices and highlighting certain variations in technological adoption within the CEE region. After the setting up of the relevant typology and by utilizing a dual-methodological approach, the regional e-visibility of the leadership of certain faculties is examined, while specific user motivations are also explored in a narrower sense through domestic questionnaire-based studies within Hungary. Firstly, by analyzing the use of certain i) academic social netowrking sites (hereinafter ASNSs); ii) author profiles linked to publishers; and databases without social functions at private universities and juxtaposing these with the experiences of Slovak institutions, the research highlights how these platforms are utilized to enhance research visibility and academic networking. Secondly, findings are meant to indicate that while DAPs are widely valued for facilitating scholarly communication in Hungary, localized academic cultures and individual motivations significantly shape their application.

Psychological traits of extreme sport participants: a scoping review.

Extreme sports have increased in popularity, particularly over the past two decades. Theories explaining participation in extreme sports tend to focus on risk. Consequently, extreme sports participants are often characterized by an accentuated desire for risk and abnormal personal traits, but the positive aspects of extreme sports are often neglected in the literature. This scoping review summarizes extreme sport motives, emotions and personal characteristics. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist, three databases were searched (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SportDiscus and, PsycInfo) on 20th April 2023. Studies were included if they were originally articles written in English and examined psychology traits in extreme sport participants. In total, 39 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in the present review. There is no unique profile for individuals involved in extreme sports. Risk and fear are considered natural characteristic of participation, and many positive aspects are associated with involvement in extreme sports (e.g., organization, planning, confidence). The quality of experience is often reported to justify extreme sport participation. Changes in emotions and motives characterized the reversal theory, which in combination with the flow approach, could explain the participation in extreme activities. A dynamic ecological approach considering the interaction between individuals and the environment should be adopted to understand individual motives, behaviour and emotions.

Application of Self-Determination Theory to Wildlife Disease Risk Communication

The effective response to managing wildlife-associated diseases, such as chronic wasting disease (CWD), requires meaningful cooperation between managers and affected groups. According to self-determination theory (SDT), a broad theory of motivation, communication efforts supportive of the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness are more likely to motivate voluntary cooperation among affected groups than efforts centered on control. In this study, we applied a conceptual framework based on SDT to analyze state agency communication strategies. We surveyed key state agency personnel about their approach to CWD communication and conducted a content analysis of communication materials. We then conducted a qualitative analysis of open-ended responses from state agency personnel to identify patterns in appeals to autonomous motivation compared to more controlled forms of individual motivation. Our analysis suggests that agency communications provide variable support for individual basic psychological needs, and we suggest guidelines that may improve future communication efforts.

The Experiences of and Attitudes Towards Continuing Professional Development: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of UK paramedics (EAT CPD).

Background: Paramedics are allied health professionals, registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Part of this registration is the responsibility to conduct and record continuing professional development (CPD). A sample of UK paramedics have their CPD audited ever two years as part of their re-registration process. Compared to other allied health professionals very little is known about paramedics’ engagement with CPD. Methods: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) methodology was undertaken to understand the lived experiences of the participants attitudes towards and experiences of CPD. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews using a piloted topic guide took place with registered paramedics who worked in a variety of roles for several different healthcare employers. Interviews were professionally transcribed and analysed via thematic analysis related to IPA research. Results: Seven interviews were conducted; one overarching domain of Paramedics experiences of and attitudes towards CPD was created from four themes shaped by a variety of subthemes. The four themes were: personal factors (attributed to areas of individual motivations to conduct CPD), professional accountability (factors relating to how CPD improves oneself and the profession), employer investment and support (how employers play their part in CPD facilitation), and Covid-19 (the impact Covid-19 had on CPD). Novel subthemes included CPD is a personal responsibility and Covid-19 factors. Conclusions: Paramedics are faced with a plethora of factors that impact on how and why they engage with CPD. These combinations of factors are individual and personal to each paramedic. A more structured and integrated collaboration between paramedics, employers, regulators, and CPD providers could provide improved education on professional responsibilities and requirements whist also delivering focused CPD activities that have improved access for the paramedic profession.

Meaning of work for South African women during the pandemic

Orientation: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted workplaces worldwide, prompting a re-evaluation of the meaning and significance of work, particularly among women who were uniquely impacted by the crisis.Research purpose: This study aimed to understand the meaning that South African women attributed to their work during the pandemic. Additionally, the research aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 3, 5 and 8), contributing to efforts to improve well-being, promote gender equality and ensure decent work.Motivation for the study: Understanding how the pandemic altered women’s perceptions and experiences of work can provide valuable insights for human resource professionals, helping to create more inclusive and supportive work environments.Research approach/design and method: A generic qualitative approach was employed, involving 10 semi-structured interviews with South African women who were formally employed both before and during the pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data collected.Main findings: The study revealed that women had individual motivations for their chosen work, with the meaning of work varying among participants. Factors such as organisational and personal challenges, as well as the support received, significantly shaped these meanings.Practical/managerial implications: Organisations need to consider the unique challenges and support needs of women in the workplace, especially in the context of recovery from the pandemic.Contribution/value-add: The study enriches the body of literature on the meaning of work, particularly focussing on South African women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and informs organisational practices that can better support employees during crises and beyond.

Volunteering behavioral declines amid personal and organizational upheaval: Recruitment, retention, and barriers in Australia

ABSTRACT Volunteers have faced recent social disruptions which have brought about a new wave of barriers to wash over survivors of an already declining number of formal volunteers in Australia. How the “environmental jolt” of recent social disruption has played out for volunteering is important to understand because less is known about how organizational responses have interacted with changing individual volunteer motives and meanings in the volunteering context. Understanding the impact of this environmental jolt of recent social disruption on volunteering is crucial, especially considering the implications for well-being in communities of volunteers.

Characteristics and Experiences of Employees who Gamble at Work

Given that little is currently known about gambling in the workplace, we conducted a mixed-methods study to describe the characteristics and experiences of people who gamble at work. We administered a Canada-wide online survey (n = 2,000) of adults who 1) gamble, 2) are currently employed full-time, and 3) have internet access at work. A descriptive analysis of quantitative survey data showed that individuals who gamble at work had lower job satisfaction and higher rates of problem gambling compared to those who do not. Among those who gamble at work, we quantitatively described the types of gambling, the consequences experienced, and the motivations for gambling. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 individuals who met the criteria for problem gambling and who gamble at work. Data were integrated to provide a richer description of the experiences of those who gamble at work, including their motivations, the role of work–life satisfaction, and the dynamic influence of work as a social context. Motivations for workplace gambling included excitement, social connection, avoidance, and coping with stress or emotions. The results highlight the importance of understanding the varied motivations of individuals who gamble at work, and the role of work experiences in shaping meaning regarding gambling behaviours.

National biodiversity strategies under-utilize the potential for individual behavior change

Biodiversity conservation is increasingly recognized as a main challenge for the sustainability agenda. With humans at the epicenter of the biodiversity crisis, conserving nature requires changes in individual behavior. This study reveals gaps regarding the incorporation of behavior change into national biodiversity policy. A total of 1306 policy actions proposed by ten National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) from all world regions were coded for target actors, target behavior and responsible agents as well as the policy options, intervention types and behavioral determinants listed in the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework. Results show that only 11 % (n=148) of the policy actions specified individual behaviors and 10 % mentioned individual actors to be targeted. Only 3 % (n=36) of the policy actions were specific about how interventions and policies could enable individual behavior change. Policy actions targeting individual behavior change were aimed mostly at increasing people’s capabilities (i.e., providing information) or providing opportunities (i.e., resources), and rarely addressed the motivation of individuals. More attention and specificity regarding behavior change and better incorporation of the behavioral sciences can improve the effectiveness of national biodiversity strategies.

Driven by Revenge: Why Chechen Foreign Fighters Have Joined Ukraine Against Russia

Abstract While the motivations of individuals to become foreign fighters have been at the forefront of academic interest, an important motive—revenge—has so far remained under-researched. Drawing on the case study of pro-Ukrainian Chechen foreign fighters self-deployed in the ongoing Russo-Ukraine War, this article seeks to fill the gap in the extant literature by identifying and conceptualizing revenge. This article posits that two intertwined motives—revenge for perceived historical injustices and revenge for personal wrongs—have played an important role in motivating Chechens to become foreign fighters in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. This article suggests that while revenge might be a potent driving force of foreign fighting, its appeal may be stronger in the cultures of honor with the persisting notion of retaliation.

Multilevel Factors Impacting Substance Use Treatment Access, Engagement, and Racial Equity Among Opioid Overdose Survivors in Boston, MA.

There are well-documented racial/ethnic inequities in drug-related overdoses and access to evidence-based opioid use services nationally and in Boston, MA. To qualitatively explore the drivers of racial/ethnic inequities in access to opioid use disorder treatment and services in Boston. Semi-structured qualitative interviews. Using purposive sampling, researchers recruited 59 opioid overdose survivors in Boston who self-identified as Black, Hispanic or Latino/a/x, and/or White. Interviewers administered a socio-demographic and drug use survey, and used a semi-structured interview guide to explore experiences with and perspectives on substance use treatment and services. Participants' racial/ethnic identities were distributed across three subgroups: non-Hispanic Black (n = 18; 31%), non-Hispanic White (n = 18; 31%), and Latino/a/x (n = 23; 39%). Qualitative analysis identified multiple themes that were organized into four social-ecological levels after analysis. At the individual level, some participants emphasized the importance of personal responsibility and individual motivation in determining access to services. Participants expressed a range of perspectives about using medication for opioid use disorder treatment; Black and Latino/a/x participants were more likely than White participants to have critical perspectives. At the interpersonal level, experiences of bias, stigma, and racism from staff in healthcare and treatment settings were common. At the program/process level, participants described challenges connecting to services following overdose and barriers within specific programs, with Black and Latino/a/x participants experiencing particular gaps. At the systems level, the limited availability of housing, employment, and mental health care negatively impacted treatment access and engagement. A racism lens was used during data interpretation to apply the themes at a broader population level. Through this lens, the identified barriers can be understood to have a disproportionate impact on people of color. Findings call for programmatic and policy solutions that address racism, break down stigma, and ensure equitable access to evidence-based services and social supports.