Sport Commitment Profiles
The Role of Expectancies for Success and Task Value
Keywords:
commitment, motivation, enjoymentAbstract
Athletes with different commitment profiles may have varied experiences in sport, ranging from positive to more negative perceptions, but regardless of commitment type, continue to compete. The purpose of this study was to explore differences between athletes of varying commitment profiles on constructs thought to lead to achievement behaviors, namely expectancies of success and subjective task value. A non-experimental design was used to determine the role of expectancies and subjective task value and to assess differences between commitment profiles on these variables. A total of 183, USA Level 7 through 10 competitive, female gymnasts completed measures designed to assess sport commitment constructs, expectancies, and subjective task value. Higher perceptions of attainment and utility value predicted higher psychological commitment. Five commitment profiles emerged: attracted, entrapped, vulnerable, average, and low commitment. Attracted gymnasts reported the highest expectancies for success. Additionally, attracted, vulnerable and average committed gymnasts had higher perceptions of attainment value than did low committed and entrapped gymnasts. Overall, subjective task value contributed to athletes’ psychological commitment and intentions to continue participation. Additionally, expectancy-value constructs further differentiated varying commitment profiles in sport.
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