Sportspersonship Behaviours: An Exploratory Investigation of Antecedents.

The current study proposed a path model of sportspersonship using self-determined motivation as mediating variable and sport orientations as distal determinants. 166 competitive level athletes divided into two groups according to the type of sport (individual and team sports) completed a questionnaire composed of the following sections: socio-anagraphic data, Sport Orientation Questionnaire, Sport Motivation Scale, and Multidimensional Sport Orientation Scale. ANOVA analysis and path mediational model were applied. Results showed a main effect of gender and type of sports on sport orientations, and the indirect effects of sport orientations on sportspersonship, as well as the mediational role of self-determined sport motivation within this model. Additional research with a larger sample and other constructs will be needed in order to confirm, and possibly extend, the present findings. However, this study could be considered as a starting point for educational approaches especially for young sportspeople.