Structural Relationships of Sources of Sport Confidence and Sport Confidence Affecting Achievement Goals in Thai Collegiate Combat Sport Athletes

Sport confidence and achievement goal orientation are crucial determinants of performance in martial arts, where athletes face intense psychological and physical demands. Understanding how confidence is developed and linked to achievement goals is particularly important for collegiate athletes in Thailand, where cultural values emphasize teamwork and respect within the martial arts community. Unlike previous studies conducted in Western contexts, this research focuses on Thai collegiate combat sport athletes, offering culturally specific insights into how confidence mechanisms function in collectivist settings. A total of 360 athletes aged 18–25 years who participated in the 49th Thailand University Games completed standardized questionnaires on Sources of Sport Confidence (SSC), Sport Confidence (SC), and Achievement Goal Orientation (AGO). Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling, and the model showed a good fit to the empirical data. Results revealed that SC had a direct positive effect on AGO, while SSC influenced AGO indirectly through SC, explaining 36.8% of its variance. These findings highlight SC as the key psychological mechanism linking confidence sources to goal achievement, suggesting that coaches should prioritize strategies to enhance athletes' confidence through structured preparation and supportive environments.