High school student motivation and burnout in elite sports : A quantitative survey in Swedish nationally approved sports education

Syfte: Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur elever på den nationellt godkända idrottsutbildningen (NIU) motiveras till sin idrott i enlighet med Self-determination Theory och Organismic Integration Theory, med hjälp av en modifierad Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-6). Vidare syftar studien till att undersöka om elever på den nationellt godkända idrottsutbildningen (NIU) upplever utbrändhet, med hjälp av Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Till sist ämnar studien att undersöka om det föreligger något samband mellan elevernas motivation och utbrändhet. Tidigare studier beskriver att elitidrottare har visat sig vara en särskild utsatt population gentemot utbrändhet. Detta på grund av en långvarig press och stress i samband med elitidrott. Metod: Datainsamlingen erhölls med mejlkonversationer mellan författare och NIU gymnasieskolor i Stockholm. 15 NIU gymnasieskolor kontaktades på mejl och 7 av dessa gymnasieskolor deltog i studien. 131 elever som betraktas som elitidrottare deltog i studien genom att besvara ett frågeformulär bestående av 39 påståenden med hjälp av en 7 gradig Likertskala. 24 påståenden utgjordes av SMS-6 och 15 påståenden utgjordes av ABQ. Resultat: De tre högsta noterade medelvärdena utifrån SMS-6 var integrated motivation (M = 5,7), identified motivation (M = 4,9) och introjected motivation (M = 4,7). ABQ medelvärde noterades till (M = 3). De två främsta fynden i studien var en negativ signifikant korrelation mellan integrated motivation (-0,18) och utbrändhet och en positiv signifikant korrelation mellan amotivation och utbrändhet (0,37). Slutsats: Utifrån studiens resultat så verkar det som att höga nivåer av självbestämd motivation motarbetar symptom av utbrändhet. Det verkar också som att låga nivåer av självbestämd motivation framhäver symptom av utbrändhet.Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how elite athlete students in Swedish high schools are motivated towards their sports by Self-determination Theory and Organismic Integration Theory, regarding the Modified Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-6). The study further aims to investigate if elite athlete students had developed symptoms of burnout, regarding the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ). Finally, this study aims to investigate if there exist any correlations between student’s motivation and symptoms of burnout. Studies have reported findings of elite athletes as a special vulnerable group towards symptoms of burnout. Elite athletes train close to their limits, strain themselves to highest achievements. They are also part of that special vulnerable population who may experience symptoms of burnout due to a prolonged stress and pressure associated with elite sports. Methods: Data collection was obtained by emails between the investigators and high schools in Stockholm. 15 sport high schools were contacted by email and 7 of these high schools participated in the study. 131 elite athlete students participated in the study by answering a questionnaire which contained 39 items, specifically 24 items by SMS-6 and 15 items by ABQ. The questionnaire were answered by a 7 point Likert scale. Results: The three highest scored means by SMS-6 was the integrated motivation (M = 5,7), identified motivation (M = 4,9) and introjected motivation (M = 4,7). ABQ measure of burnout was (M = 3). The two major findings in the present study was a negative significant correlation reported for integrated motivation and burnout (-0,18) and a positive significant correlation reported for amotivation and burnout (0,37). Conclusion: By the results in the present study it seems as high levels of self-determinated motivation counteract symptoms of burnout. Thus it also seems as low levels of self-determinated motivation may contribute to symptoms of burnout.