Perceived motivational climate, self-determined motivation and self-esteem in young mexican athletes.

Abstract

Within the framework of the Achievement Goal Theory (Ames, 1992; Dweck, 1999; Nicholls, 1989) and Self-Determination Theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985, 2000), this study tested a model with the following sequence: perceived motivational climate (task and ego involvement), self-esteem, self-determined motivation. It also examined whether self- determined motivation acted as a mediator between the two dimensions of perceived motivational climate (task and ego involvement climate) and self-esteem. A total of 651 young Mexican athletes (M_age  = 13.99; SD= 1.88) took part in the survey: 330 girls and 321 boys who answered the three Spanish versions of the following questionnaires: PMCSQ-2, SMS and SDQ-III. The results of structural equation model showed that a task involvement climate and ego involvement climate were respectively associated with positive and negative self-determined motivation, while the latter was positively associated with self-esteem. Finally, self-determined motivation acted as a mediator in the relationship between perceived motivational climate and self-esteem.