The Moderating Role of Perception of Control in the Relationship between Competence Evaluation and Sports Motivation among Athletes

Understanding the role of perception of control in the relationship between competence evaluation and athletes’ sports motivation is sacrosanct for optimal performance and participation. The present study examined the direct effect of competence evaluation by (a) investigating its relationship with athletes' sports motivation, (b) the direct effect of perception of control on athletes' sports motivation, and (c) testing the indirect effect of perception of control on the relationship between competence evaluation and athletes’ sports motivation. Student-athletes (N = 200, Mage = 20.61 years; SD = 3.73) completed self-report measures assessing competence evaluation, sports motivation and perception of control. Regression analysis showed that competence evaluation and perception of control were significantly associated with sports motivation; however, the perception of control moderated the interaction of competence evaluation and athletes' sports motivation. Thus, competence evaluation was significantly associated with sports motivation for athletes with moderate and high perceptions of control. The findings underscore the need for athletes, coaches, sports psychologists, and other sports stakeholders to understand how competence evaluation and perception of control interrelate to boost motivational levels among athletes in sports competitions.