Psychological Effects of Change Drivers on Performance and Motivation of Iraqi Handball Athletes

Document Type : Original research

Authors

1 PhD student in Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Sports Management, Sports Medicine Research Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Diyala University, Baqubah, Iraq.

4 Associate Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract
This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the psychological effects of change drivers on the performance and motivation of athletes in the Iraqi Handball Premier League. The present study is descriptive-analytical and purpose-based, applied. The data collection method was a survey and the research tools included a researcher-made questionnaire to measure the psychological effects of change and the Standard Sports Motivation (SMS-II) and Athlete Performance Questionnaires of Charbonneau et al. (2001). The statistical population of the study included all players of 15 teams in the Iraqi Handball Premier League (180 people) who were selected using the total sampling method. Finally, 159 completed and valid questionnaires were analyzed. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling with PLS software) were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that the psychological effects of change drivers have an effect on athletes' motivation. This effect, with a coefficient of 0.771 and a significant t-value of 22.373, indicates a strong and positive relationship between the two variables. Also, the psychological effects of change drivers have an effect on athletes' performance. This effect, with a coefficient of 0.672 and a significant t-value of 14.701, indicates a strong and positive relationship between the two variables. Therefore, the research findings showed that the psychological effects of change drivers have a positive and significant relationship on athletes' motivation and performance. These effects affect athletes' performance by increasing stress and anxiety, adaptation challenges, .

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 02 June 2025

  • Receive Date 21 February 2025
  • Revise Date 19 May 2025
  • Accept Date 02 June 2025