title: Goal striving, coping, and well-being: a prospective investigation of the self-concordance model in sport.
abstract: Developing upon cross-sectional research (Smith, Ntoumanis, & Duda, 2007) supporting the self-concordance model (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999) as a framework for contextual goal striving, the current study investigated the assumptions of the model in relation to season-long goal striving in sport. The study additionally examined the role of coping strategies in the persistence of goal-directed effort. Structural equation modeling analysis with a sample of 97 British athletes indicated that start-of-season autonomous goal motives were linked to midseason effort, which subsequently predicted end-of-season goal attainment. Attainment was positively related to changes in psychological need satisfaction, which, in turn, predicted changes in emotional well-being. In a second model, autonomous and controlled motives positively predicted task- and disengagement-oriented coping strategies, respectively. In turn, these strategies were differentially associated with effort. The findings provide support for contextual adaptations of the self-concordance model and demonstrate the role of coping strategies in the goal striving process.
authors: Education/Sport Development & Recreation, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
authors: Alison L
authors: AL
authors: Smith
authors: Nikos
authors: N
authors: Ntoumanis
authors: Joan L
authors: JL
authors: Duda
authors: Maarten
authors: M
authors: Vansteenkiste
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom