The applicability of self-regulation theories in sport: Goal adjustment capacities, stress appraisals, coping, and well-being among athletes. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nicholls, Adam R.; Levy, Andrew R.; Carson, Fraser; Thompson, Mark A.; Perry, John L.
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 27(2016)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 55
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: challenge -- Disengagement -- Reengagement -- Threat; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Sports -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; Psychology; Sports; Exercise; Societies, Medical; Sports -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; Exercice -- Aspect psychologique -- Périodiques; 613.71019
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: We examined a model, informed by self-regulation theories from the health psychology literature, which included goal adjustment capacities, appraisals of challenge and threat, coping, and well-being. Design: Prospective. Methods: Two-hundred and twelve athletes from the United Kingdom ( n = 147) or Australia ( n = 65), who played team ( n = 135) or individual sports ( n = 77), and competed at international ( n = 7), national ( n = 11), county ( n = 67), club ( n = 84), or beginner ( n = 43) levels participated in this study. Participants completed measures of goal adjustment capacities and stress appraisals two days before competing. Athletes also completed coping and well-being questionnaires within 3 h of their competition ending. Results: The way an athlete responded to an unattainable goal was associated with his or her well-being in the period leading up to and including the competition. Goal reengagement positively predicted well-being, whereas goal disengagement negatively predicted well-being. Further, goal reengagement was positively associated with challenge appraisals, which in turn was linked to task-oriented coping, and task-oriented coping positively associated with well-being. Conclusion: When highly-valued goals become unattainable, consultants and coaches could encourage athletes to generate alternative approaches to achieve the same goal or help them develop a completely new goal in order to promote well-being among athletes. Highlights: Goal reengagement positively predicts well-being. Goal disengagement negatively predicts well-being. Goal reengagement is positively associated with challenge appraisals. Goal disengagement is negatively associated with threat appraisals. Coping was associated with well-being.