TESTING A MODEL OF FIRST-SEMESTER STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC MOTIVATION AND MOTIVATIONAL BALANCE BETWEEN ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS
Open Access
- Author:
- Althouse, J. Nathan
- Graduate Program:
- Counselor Education
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- June 11, 2007
- Committee Members:
- Jerry G Trusty, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Jolynn Carney, Committee Member
Spencer Niles, Committee Member
James F Nolan Jr., Committee Member - Keywords:
- student athletes
academic motivation - Abstract:
- This dissertation examined the correlation between background demographic variables, high school academic variables, college situational variables, and noncognitive variables (independent variables), and academic motivation and the balance between academic and athletic motivation (dependent variables) for first-semester student athletes competing at a highly competitive Division I athletic program. The literature review established a foundation for the need of this study based on theoretical and empirical research, and the development of more stringent academic benchmarks and progress-monitoring legislation recently introduced by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). A hierarchical regression design was created to investigate the correlations between the independent variables and academic motivation and balance between academic motivation and athletic motivation. Participants completed a survey comprised of an inventory of background variables, the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ), and the Student Athletes’ Motivation toward Sports and Academics Questionnaire (SAMSAQ). The dependent variables of academic motivation and balance score were derived from subscales of the SAMSAQ. The score for academic motivation was represented by the score on the Academic Motivation subscale of the SAMSAQ. The value for balance score was created by computing the difference score between the Academic Motivation and Student Athletic Motivation subscale scores of the SAMSAQ. There were 185 participants representing 29 different sports who took the battery of surveys during the first week of classes in the fall of 2006. The results of the study indicate that three independent variables were positively and significantly correlated with balance score: high school grade point average, parent level of education, and the NCQ subscale Knowledge Acquired in a Field (which measures culturally-related educational experiences outside of school). The NCQ subscale Dealing with Racism was found to have a positive and significant correlation with academic motivation. The discussion section analyzes the results of the current study, as well as examines how the current findings relate to past theoretical and empirical research. The discussion section also outlines implications for practice for high school and college professionals and suggestions for future research.