Sport Psychology Studies

Sport Psychology Studies

Modelling Psychological Factors Affecting the Sustainable Development of Sports Entrepreneurship among Iraqi Athletes

Document Type : Original research

Authors
Akram Jabar Razagh 1
Mina Mostahfezian 2
Hussein Hassoon Abbas 3
Rasool Nazari 4
1 Ph. D. student in Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Sports Management, Sports Medicine Research Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
3 Professor of Sports Management, Karbala Faculty of Educational Sciences, Karbala University, Karbala, Iraq
4 Associate Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
10.22089/spsyj.2025.17824.2557
Abstract
This study aimed to model the psychological factors affecting the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship among elite Iraqi athletes. The research method was qualitative with a thematic analysis approach and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 19 elite Iraqi athletes, managers, and coaches who are active in the field of sports entrepreneurship. Purposive and snowball sampling was used and data analysis was performed using thematic analysis method in MAXQDA Pro software. The validity and reliability of the data were confirmed. The research findings showed that the sustainable development of sports entrepreneurship is influenced by seven key psychological factors including personal motivation and commitment, self-confidence and personal control, resilience and coping with challenges, creativity and innovation, communication and social abilities, risk-taking and decision-making, and planning and goal-setting. These factors were identified and categorized into 15 organizing themes and 48 basic themes. The results showed that entrepreneurial athletes have characteristics such as intrinsic motivation, perseverance, and tolerance for failure, ability to adapt to changes, creative thinking, strong communication skills, risk-taking, and long-term planning ability. The findings of this study can be used by sports policymakers, coaches, and economic institutions active in the field of sports to formulate support and development strategies.
Keywords
Elite Athletes
Content Analysis
Motivation
Creativity
Resilience

Subjects

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Sport Psychology Studies
Volume 14, Issue 52
Spring 2025
Pages 108-122

  • Receive Date 26 February 2025
  • Revise Date 26 April 2025
  • Accept Date 02 June 2025