An examination of goal motives and athlete's self-regulatory responses to unattainable goals

Alison Smith, Nikos Ntoumanis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Developing upon previous research advocating the benefits of autonomous motives for personal goal striving (e.g. Sheldon & Elliot, 1999), this study examined the role of goal motives in predicting athletes' disengagement and alternative reengagement responses to unattainable goals. To assess responses to goal failure, 203 University athletes were asked to imagine that a current personally important goal had become unattainable. Structural equation modeling revealed autonomous goals motives to be negatively associated with goal disengagement but positively related to alternative reengagement. In contrast, controlled motives were found to be unrelated to both disengagement and reengagement. The findings are discussed in terms of the role of goal motives for individuals faced with imminent goal failure.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)538-558
Number of pages20
JournalInternational Journal of Sport Psychology
Volume45
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2014

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