Influence of achievement goals and motivational climate on attitudes toward doping among East African university athletes
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Date
2019
Authors
Mwangi, F. M.
Rintaugu, E.G.
Toriola, Olumatoyin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journals Online (AJOL)
Abstract
Doping cases among East African athletes have been reported in the past few years, jeopardizing
their international reputation. Pro-doping behaviours in sports can be assessed using Achievement
Goal Theory (AGT) which proposes that goal orientation and motivational climate influence
attitudes and behaviours. This study examined the relationships among East African university
athletes’ achievement goal orientations, perceived coach-created motivational climate and attitudes
towards doping in sports. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 327
student-athletes during the 2016 East African University Sport Championships. Athletes’ doping
attitudes were assessed using a modified Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS). The
athletes’ perception of success or achievement goal orientation in sports was assessed through the
Task and Ego Goal Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEGOSQ), while their perceptions of
coach motivational climate were assessed using an adapted version of the Perceived Motivational
Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ). Based on responses to a five-point Likert scale, results
yielded the following: doping attitude scale (Mean =2.14 ± 0.73), Ego orientation (Mean = 3.77 ±
0.86), Task orientation (Mean = 4.41 ± 0.87) and Performance motivation climate (Mean = 2.59 ±
0.89). About 71% (229) of the respondents were least likely to dope, while 29% (94) had high
likelihood of engaging in future doping behavior. Binary logistical regression analysis showed that
Performance motivation climate had the most significant unique contributions to attitudes towards
doping (χ2 = 6.35; p = .012). Fostering performance motivation climate during coaching and
deemphasising task orientation in sports could promote athletes’ inclination towards doping.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Ego orientation, Goal orientation, Performance motivational climate
Citation
Mwangi, F.M., Rintaugu, E.J. & Toriola, O. (2019). Influence of achievement goals and motivational climate on attitudes toward doping among East African university athletes. African Journal for Physical Activity and Health Sciences, 25(4), 547-562.