Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

The role of self-supportive and self-thwarting behaviors of basic psychological needs in the behavioral consequences of athletes: Based on the Self-Determination Theory

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Zohreh Khalilpourshiraz
Behzad Behzadnia
Mohammad Taghi Aghdasi
Motor Behavior Department, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Tabriz, Tabriz. Iran.
10.22089/spsyj.2024.17218.2511
Abstract
Objectives: In recent years, along with effective personality factors, attention to the basic psychological needs of athletes in sports environments has been raised as one of the key factors in their behavioral outcomes. This importance, considering its role in relation to basic psychological needs, can be interestingly related to behavioral outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between basic psychological needs, internal and external goals, mindfulness and sleep quality in athletes.
Methods & Materials: The statistical population of the present study were athletes (boys and girls) who had three years of experience in one of the sports fields and were members of one of the sports teams in Tabriz city. A total of 228 athletes were selected through available sampling and completed demographic information questionnaire, aspiration index questionnaire, self-supportive and self-thwarting behavior index questionnaire, Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaire, and mindful, attention, awareness scale questionnaire.
Results: The results of statistical analysis showed that self-supportive behaviors have a positive relationship with internal goals and a direct relationship with mindfulness. On the other hand, self-thwarting behaviors had a negative relationship with internal goals, but not with external goals and variables of mindfulness and sleep quality.
Conclusions: In general, the results showed that athletes who develop more self-supportive behaviors are more mindful, and this mindfulness increases a person's focus on internal goals and leads to better sports performance, more well-being, and healthier lifestyle decisions.
Keywords
Self-supportive behaviors
Internal and External goals
Mindfulness
Sleep Quality
Basic Psychological Needs
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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 15, Issue 55
Spring 2026
Pages 26-47

  • Receive Date 29 January 2026