Perfeccionismo interpersonal, motivación e intención de continuar practicando deporte

The aim of this study was to test a conceptual model in which the role of interpersonal antecedents (the athlete's perception of the pressure to be perfect from their parents – PPP - and coach – PCP -) on the intention that pubescent athletes have to continue practicing sports, and the role that motivation plays in that relationship is analyzed. A battery of questionnaires that measured the study variables was applied to 259 athletes of both sexes. The structural equation model, controlled for the sex variable, represented the observed relationships well: χ2 = 215.6, df = 107, p < 0.001, CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.89, RMSEA = 0.07, 90% CI [0.05, 0.08], SRMR = 0.06. The PPP positively influenced less self-determined motivation, and this negatively influenced the intention to continue practicing sports in the future. While the PCP positively influenced autonomous motivation, and this positively influenced intention. The mediation effects confirm a partial mediation of autonomous motivation between PCP and intention. It is concluded that the PP facet has different motivational qualities, of which PCP can be adaptive, and PPP tends to be poorly adaptive. In this way, critical reflection is promoted in coaches about the high standards they establish for their athletes, and overly critical evaluation of them.