How Much Impact Do Psychological Satisfaction and Stressors Have on Athlete Engagement?

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of stressors and basic needs satisfaction on athlete engagement among Japanese soccer players.

Methods: We collected data from 1,610 Japanese soccer players (1,452 males, 158 females; M age=16.73, SD=2.23) who completed questionnaires including the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire (AEQ), Basic Needs Satisfaction in Sport Scale (BNSSS), and Daily and Competitive Stressor Scale (DCSS). We assessed the effect of the stressors and basic needs satisfaction (independent variable) on athlete engagement (dependent variable) using binomial logistic regression analysis.

Results: The adjusted analysis results indicated that the stressor score of internal and social change in each individual content of club activity and economic condition and academic record were suppressive factors for engagement (confidence: adjusted OR 0.54-0.67; dedication: adjusted OR 0.44-0.61; vigor: adjusted OR 0.46-0.65; Enthusiasm: adjusted OR 0.38-0.56). Furthermore, the basic needs satisfaction score of internal perceived locus of causality and volition were strong promotion factors for engagement (confidence: adjusted OR 3.27-5.68; dedication: adjusted OR 8.08-9.94; vigor: adjusted OR 7.36-9.22; Enthusiasm: adjusted OR 9.44-11.30).

Conclusions: We concluded that stressors and basic needs satisfaction have a considerable influence on athlete engagement. More specifically, there is a possibility that the basic needs satisfaction of internal perceived locus of causality promotes athlete engagement, and the stressors of internal and social change in each individual, content of club activity, and economic condition and academic record suppress athlete engagement.