The influence of perfectionist attitudes on the motivational structure of studentathletes

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PhD L.G. Tatyanina1, 2
PhD Yu.A. Yakovleva1
PhD A.V. Kirpichnikova3
N.D. Alekseeva4
1Saint-Petersburg Mining University, Saint Petersburg
2North-West Institute of Management of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Saint Petersburg
3University associated with the Interparliamentary Assembly of the Eurasian Economic Community, Saint Petersburg
4Baltic State Technical University «VOENMEH» named after D.F. Ustinov, Saint Petersburg

Objective of the study is to assess the influence of perfectionist attitudes on the motivational structure of students involved in sports.
Methods and structure of the study. The empirical study involved 189 students aged 18-22 (102 males and 87 females) enrolled in the 1st-4th years of higher education institutions in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, and Yekaterinburg, who actively participate in sports competitions. The motivation of student athletes was assessed using a questionnaire on academic motivation (A.A. Rean, V.A. Yakunin) and a method for diagnosing achievement motivation (A. Mehrabian). The tendency toward perfectionist attitudes was determined using a multidimensional perfectionism scale (R. Frost).
Results and conclusions. The role of parental attitudes, which have a predominantly negative impact on the motivational sphere, reinforcing external regulation and fear of failure, has been identified. The identified gender differences are particularly significant: in girls, perfectionist attitudes are more closely linked to the motivation for social approval, while in boys they are linked to competitive motives and a focus on results.

Keywords: motivation, cognitive motivation, achievement motivation, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, avoidance motivation, perfectionism, ‘adaptive perfectionists’, ‘maladaptive perfectionists’, ‘moderate perfectionists’.

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