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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Predicting Coaches' Adherence/Dropout: A Prospective Study

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description

The objective of this study was to examine motivational variables based on self-determination theory (SDT) and positive psychology as predictors of coaches' adherence and dropout. A prospective study was performed using a sample of 286 coaches who were tracked over a two-year period. Initially coaches' motivation and psychological need satisfaction were measured; two years later they were contacted and asked if they were still coaching in their original sport. Those who did not were considered as drop-outs for the current study. Logistic binary regression analyses were performed to analyse predictors of persistence and dropout. Need Satisfaction Index (NSI), perceived competence and perceived usefulness were identified as protective factors for coaches' adherence, while amotivation was a risk factor of dropout. The fundamental psychological needs of competence and perceived usefulness were the strongest predictors of adherence. Discussions focused on the SDT-grounded predictive factors of coaches' adherence in order to further understand this phenomenon.