The Effects of Achievement Goal Orientation on Team Cohesion and Intrinsic Motivation among Collegiate Handball Players

This study aimed to examine the effects of achievement goal orientation on team cohesion and intrinsic motivation among collegiate handball players, providing empirical insights to enhance performance in team sports. A total of 140 university athletes participated, with data analyzed using SPSS 29.0 through frequency analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression.<br/> The results revealed that task-oriented goal orientation positively influenced all aspects of team cohesion (individual-social, group-social, individual-task, and group-task), whereas ego orientation showed no significant effect. Additionally, task orientation enhanced intrinsic motivation factors such as interest, effort, and perceived competence, while ego orientation increased tension. Furthermore, individual-task cohesion boosted effort and competence, group-task cohesion increased interest, and group-social cohesion helped reduce tension.<br/> These findings highlight the importance of task-oriented goals and team cohesion in fostering intrinsic motivation, offering practical implications for coaching strategies that promote engagement and performance in collaborative sports like handball.