Abstract

CASTILLO, Isabel; MOLINA-GARCIA, Javier  and  ALVAREZ, Octavio. Importance of perceived competition and motivation to the mental health of college athletes. Salud pública Méx [online]. 2010, vol.52, n.6, pp.517-523. ISSN 0036-3634.

OBJECTIVE. This research analyzes the direct and indirect relationships among self-motivation, perceived competition and psychological well-being and ill-being. MATERIAL AND METHODS. Data from 491 Spanish college students (299 men and 192 women) who practice sports were collected using a cross-sectional design. Statistical analyses were carried out using structural equation modeling. RESULTS. Psychological well-being was directly fostered by perceived competition and indirectly by self- motivation. Furthermore, perceived competition was negatively associated with psychological ill-being. CONCLUSIONS. Perceived competition and self-motivation are important to the psychological well-being of college students and to avoiding ill-being.

Keywords : motivation; mental health; exercise; students; Spain.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )