Effects of elite sportsmen's goal orientation on basic psychological needs and fear of failure

EFFECTS OF ELITE SPORTSMEN'S GOAL ORIENTATION ON BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS AND FEAR OF FAILURE This study was carried out with the aim of analysing goal orientation, basic psychological needs and fear of failure of elite sportsmen in different branches in terms of various variables, and with the aim of revealing the differences among these variables. The sample of the research consisted of elite sportsmen in different branches and in different regions of Turkey in 2016-2017 academic year. Total number of the sportsmen in the sample was 521, 378 of whom were males and 173 of whom were females. The sportsmen in the sample were selected randomly. Basic Psychological Needs Scale which was developed by Deci and Ryan (2000) and adapted into Turkish by Kesici, Üre and the others (2003); Fear of Failure Scale which was developed by Conroy (2001), revised by Conroy, Willow and Metzler (2002) and adapted into Turkish by Kahraman and Sungur (2016); Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Scale that was developed by Duda (1989; 1992) and adapted into Turkish by Toros (2004) were used as data collection tools. For data analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnow test was employed to test weather the data showed normal distribution; and non-parametric tests were warranted since the data did not follow normal distribution. Percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis test and correlation analysis were used in data analysis based on sub problems. According to the results of the study, there was significant difference in terms of fear of failure sub-dimension regarding gender variable of elite sportsmen; fear of failure in terms of age variable; in terms of basic psychological needs and goal orientation sub-dimensions; in terms of basic psychological needs and fear of failure regarding level of education; in terms of basic psychological needs and fear of failure regarding branch differences (contact and contact-free) variable; in terms of basic psychological needs and fear of failure regarding obtained degree variable; in terms of fear of failure regarding seniority; in terms of basic psychological needs regarding income-status, and in terms of basic psychological needs and goal orientation regarding performance assesment of the sportsmen. However, there was no significant difference regarding sub-dimensions of basic psychological needs, goal orientation and fear of failure since variables of national and international nationality levels and numbers of the elite sportsmen were taken into consideration. When the responses that the participants gave for the items in the scales were considered, it was concluded that there was significant relations among sub-dimensions of basic psychological needs, goal orientation and fear of failure because of correlation. Keywords: Fear of Failure, Psychological Needs, Ego Orientation, Goal Orientation