The role of perceived athletic competence, goal orientations and sport motivation on determining athletes' retirement decision

The study was conducted to evaluate the retirement decision processes of athletes. Accordingly, this research was planned as two studies. In Study 1, it was aimed to test the validity and reliability of Athletes' Retirement Decision Inventory (ARDI) on athletes. In Study 2, it was aimed to examine the role of individual motivational factors in determining the retirement decision of athletes. The athletes with at least 3 years' experience in sports were included in each study. In Study 1, "Personal Information Form" and "Athlets' Retirement Decision Inventory" were administered to all participants. In Study 2, "Personal Information Form", "Athlets' Retirement Decision Inventory", "Physical Self-Description Questionnaire", "2x2 Achievement Goals Questionnaire for Sport" and "Sport Motivation Scale 2" were used. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used in Study 1 and independent samples t-test and hierarchical regression analyses were used in Study 2. In Study 1, CFA results provided support for the original structure of the inventory; Cronbach's Alpha and CR coefficients supported the reliability of the inventory. In Study 2, significant difference was found according to gender in Pull and Anti-push scores of athletes while significant difference was found according to sport experience in only Anti-pull. There was no significant difference in the retirement decision scores of the athletes according to the type of sport. The results of hierarchical regression analysis revealed that perceived sportive competence was negative determinant of Anti-pull and Push while Pull and Anti-push positive determinant. As a result of another analysis, it was revealed that mastery-avoidance was a negative determinant of Anti-pull and positive determinant of Anti-push while mastery-approach was a positive determinant of the Pull. In addition to the findings obtained, it was also determined that the performance-avoidance was a negative determinant of the Pull and a positive determinant of the Push. The study also revealed that autonomous motivation was a positive determinant of the Anti-push and a negative determinant of the Push. With the findings obtained in the study, it can be said that the Athletes' Retirement Decision Inventory is valid and reliable as well as revealing that individual motivational factors are effective in determining the retirement decision of athletes. Keywords: Athletic Retirement, Achievement Goals, Career Transition, Autonomous Motivation, Athletic Competence.