An investigation of sport participation motives, achievement goals and self-efficacy of the students who took part in school sports

ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to identify sport participation motives, achievement goals and self-efficacy of students who took part in school sport and to compare these variables according to gender, socioeconomic status, sport type and categories. Seven hundred fifteen athletes (426 boys and 289 girls) were participated voluntarily in this study. For season follow-up part of present study, 146 athletes from every category (team and individual sports) were selected randomly and their values in pre-season, mid-season and post-season were measured. Participation Motive Questionnaire, The Children's Version of The Perception of Success Questionnaire and General Self-Efficacy Scale administered to the athletes. As a result of statistical analyses, there were significant differences in gender difference in subscale of Participation Motives Questionnaire. When examining the categories, in boys there was a significant difference in sport participation motives. In sport type variables, team and individual girl athletes had significantly different sport participation motive scores. The Results of the Children's Version of The Perception of Success Questionnaire revealed that there were significant differences between categories and between sport types in boys. In girls, there was a significant difference between sport types. As a result of General Self-Efficacy Scale, there were significant differences between categories and between sport types in girls. According to the result of socioeconomic status groups (SES), there was a significant difference in participation motives of boys. In perception of success variables, there was a significant difference between SES groups in boys. In girls, there were significant differences in participation motives and perception of success between SES groups. The results of follow-up part of study revealed that repeated measure of boys and girls in participation motives, perception of success and self-efficacy were significantly different. As a result of present study, it is concluded that for improving sport participation in school sports families, coaches and physical educators should consider the motives of children, organize the programs and training according to their motives and encourage them by evaluating with their capacities. Keywords: School sports, Participation motive, Perception of success, Self-efficacy