Applying the moral action model to explore relations of sportspersonship with interpretation processes in female gymnasts

Aim The educational role of sport remains a prominent issue linked to the interpersonal variables that could affect the multidimensional construct of sportspersonship. Applying the 12-component Model of Moral Action (Shields & Bredemeier, 2001), research aimed to explore the influence of empathy and perceived motivational climate (PMC), as components of interpretation processes, on sportspersonship in a group of young gymnasts. Methods One-hundred and three female gymnasts (mean age = 11.2 ±1 yrs.) filled in a package of questionnaires comprised Empathic Concern (EC), Perspective Taking (PT), PMC and the five subscales of sportspersonship (SP). Results Significant correlations were found between Respect for Social Conventions (RSC) and both EC (r=.410 ; p<.001) and PT (r=.379 ; p<.01), Respect for Rules (RR) correlated with mastery climate (r= .277 ; p<.05) and PT (r= .234 ; p<.05), Respect for Opponents (RO) with EC (r=.567 ; p<.001). A linear regression analysis revealed that EC together with PT accounted for 34% of the variance in RO (F(2, 70)=20); p<.001) and for 20% in RSC (F(2, 70)=10.2 ; p<.001). Perceived motivational climate (PMC) explained for 10% of the variance in RR (F(4, 68)=3 ; p<.01). Conclusions Results underlined the importance of contextual and interpersonal variables in promoting positive behaviours in athletes. PT, EC and PMC seem to be key-variables for promoting sportspersonship orientation in young female gymnasts. Findings sustain the idea that educate coaches on emotional and social skills could be an important element in fostering athlete sportspersonship. References Shields DL, Bredemeier BJ (2001) Moral development and behavior in sport. In Singer RN, Hausenblas HA, Janelle CM, eds. Handbook of sport psychology, second edition (pp. 585-603). New York: Jhon Wiley & sons