The achievement goal and self-determination theories as predictors of dispositional flow in young athletes

The purpose of this study was to analyse from the perspective of the achievement goal theory and the self-determination theory some variables which could help to promote positive motivation and to improve dispositional flow in adolescent athletes. A sample of 413 young athletes (from 12 to 16 years of age) completed the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2, Perception of Success Questionnaire, Sport Motivation Scale and Dispositional Flow Scale. The results of the structural equation modeling indicated that the perceived motivational climates positively predicted corresponding dispositional goal orientations. Taskinvolving climate and task orientation positively predicted self-determined motivation, while ego-involving climate negatively predicted it. Task and ego-involving climates, task and ego orientations and self-determined motivation positively predicted dispositional flow. Task dimensions showed more prediction power over the dispositional flow than the ego dimensions. The findings are discussed with regard to enhancing athletes’ motivation and dispositional flow.