Moderator effects of autonomous motivation on the relations between the performance approach goal and, respectively, effort-related outcomes, performance and subjective emotional well-being

The literature on relations between the performance approach (PA) goal and outcomes is inconsistent in sport and physical activity (Roberts, Treasure, & Conroy, in press). Based on self-determination theory and achievement goal theory, we argue that in order to understand the energizing constructs that drive the process of PA goal strivings it is important to consider its perceived locus of causality defined as autonomous motivation (AM) (Deci & Ryan, 2000). Thus, AM was expected to moderate the relations between the PA goal and outcomes. In study 1 and 2 among students, results supported the moderator hypothesis for long term and present involvement, effort-related measures, and competitive performance, except intrinsic motivation in study 2. Persons high in the AM and high or low in the PA goal yielded the highest outcome scores. In study 3 among elite athletes, autonomous reasons for PA goal pursuits correlated significantly positively with positive subjective emotional well-being and correlated null with negative subjective emotional well-being. Controlled reasons for PA goal pursuits correlated significantly positively with negative subjective emotional well-being and correlated null with positive subjective emotional well-being.