The role of passion, need satisfaction, and conflict in athletes' perceptions of burnout. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lopes, Maxime; Vallerand, Robert J.
• Is Part Of: Psychology of sport and exercise. Volume 48(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Athlete burnout -- Harmonious passion -- Obsessive passion -- Need satisfaction -- Conflict; 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.2020.101674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-0292

Abstract

Abstract: This research examined the role of harmonious and obsessive passion in athletes' perceptions of burnout. Two studies using correlational designs were carried out with different samples of athletes of varied skill levels. In Study 1, we found that obsessive passion was positively, and harmonious passion negatively, associated with burnout perceptions in athletes. Results of Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1 and in addition used Structural Equation Modeling analyses to support the mediating role of conflict and need satisfaction in the relation between types of passion for sport and athletes' perceptions of burnout. Furthermore, it was found that harmonious passion for a second activity was associated with lower athletes' perceptions of burnout; while obsessive passion for a second activity was directly associated with it. The results have important implications for theory and research on passion as well as burnout in sport. Highlights: Passion for sport and for a second activity are associated with burnout in athletes. Harmonious and obsessive passion have opposite effect on athlete burnout. Conflict positively mediates the passion-burnout relationship. Need satisfaction negatively mediates the passion-burnout relationship. The role of a second passionate activity in athlete burnout is novel finding.