Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Dissertation

Keywords

Athletes--Rehabilitation--Psychological aspects; Sports--Psychological aspects; Sports injuries--Psychological aspects;

Abstract

The motivational climate is the environment, within an achievement setting, created by influential individuals (e.g., coach, athletic trainer, peers) through situational cues, expectations, feedback, and rewards. The way individuals within the setting interpret the motivational climate influences emotions, values, and behaviors which then directly encourages a specific state of participation. Coaches, athletic trainers, and peers need to be aware of the motivational climate they generate and the potentially constructive and detrimental effects on athletes in sport and injury rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the motivational climate in sport, sport commitment, and injury occurrence. Additionally, this study investigated the relationships between the motivational climate in rehabilitation, athlete rehabilitation behaviors, and athletes’ satisfaction with rehabilitation. NCAA Division II male and female athletes (N = 191) completed Time 1 survey measuring perceptions of the coach- and peer-created motivational climates in sport and sport commitment type. From the initial sample, 88 participants sustained an injury during the on-going data collection period and met the inclusion criteria for the Time 2 survey, which measured perceptions of the athletic trainer-created motivational climate in rehabilitation, satisfaction with rehabilitation, and sport commitment. Results indicated athletes’ perceptions of the motivational climate in sport and sport commitment type did not differ based on injury status. Improved patient satisfaction and more productive behaviors during rehabilitation were predicted by an environment where the athletic trainer emphasized improvement, learning, and working hard. Additionally, more enthusiastic sport commitment was predicted by lower perceptions of unequal recognition and punishment for mistakes by the coach. Furthermore, sport commitment was found to be dynamic in nature with significant changes occurring following injury. Understanding the variables of sport commitment and the influence of the motivational climate will allow coaches, athletic trainers, and peers to assist athletes in having an enjoyable, productive sport career, as well as promote positive rehabilitation behavior and enhanced patient satisfaction.

Year of Submission

2018

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

School of Kinesiology, Allied Health, and Human Services

First Advisor

Windee Weiss, Committee Chair

Date Original

7-2018

Object Description

1 PDF file (vii, 122 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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