Goal orientation, intra- and interpersonal relations in competitive sport

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of intrapersonal (sport participant's relationship with him/herself), interpersonal relations (sport participant's relations with parents and coaches) and the relations between the goal orientation of the participant and his/her perception of the goal orientation of the parent/coach. The standardised TEOSQ (Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire) of Duda (1989) and intra- and interpersonal relations scale of Minnaar (1997) were administered to 112 male and female South African competitive sport participants between the ages of 17 and 25 years. The results of the study confirmed the hypotheses that positive relationships exist between goal orientation of parents/coaches and participants as well as between intra- and interpersonal relations of the participant. The hypothesis of positive relations between a constructive intrapersonal relation and task orientation and a negative relation with ego orientation in sport, could only partially be verified. Key words: Goal orientation, self-concept, intra- and interrelations, task orientation, ego orientation, competitive sport. (Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2002 8(1): 120-130