A1 Journal article (refereed)
‘I was excited to train, so I didn’t have problems with the coach’ : dual career athletes’ experiences of (dis)empowering motivational climates (2020)


Saarinen, M., Ryba, T. V., Ronkainen, N. J., Rintala, H., & Aunola, K. (2020). ‘I was excited to train, so I didn’t have problems with the coach’ : dual career athletes’ experiences of (dis)empowering motivational climates. Sport in Society, 23(4), 629-644. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2019.1669322


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsSaarinen, Milla; Ryba, Tatiana V.; Ronkainen, Noora J.; Rintala, Harri; Aunola, Kaisa

Journal or seriesSport in Society

ISSN1743-0437

eISSN1743-0445

Publication year2020

Volume23

Issue number4

Pages range629-644

PublisherTaylor & Francis

Publication countryUnited Kingdom

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2019.1669322

Publication open accessNot open

Publication channel open access

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/67424

Additional informationSpecial Issue: Transitions in Sport Life


Abstract

In addition to investing in athletic development, adolescent elite athletes are expected to complete their secondary education. As a result of this expectation and the demands of sport and education, they may struggle to sustain high levels of motivation for both domains. Grounded in theoretical tenets of empowering coaching, this study sought to explore student–athletes’ perceptions of empowering and disempowering motivational climates and their possible implications for athletes’ dual career experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Finnish student–athletes, and the data were thematically analysed. The analysis indicated that a majority of the athletes had experiences of disempowering coaching climates due to coaches’ exclusive emphasis on athletic performance. It is concluded that the perception that obtaining an education is less important than sport may potentially decrease athletes’ motivation to pursue an academic track and thus challenge their exploration of future vocations outside the sporting context.


Keywordsmotivation (mental objects)motivational climatecoachingpsychological coachingathletestop athletesstudyeducation and trainingcareer development

Free keywordsmotivational climate; youth athletes; empowering coaching; dual careers; Finland


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2020

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-14-02 at 17:27