Positive Sporting Experience and Life Purpose: Is the Association Explained by Motivation?

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.12804/revistas.urosario.edu.co/apl/a.12717

Article Sidebar

PDF

Published: Nov 10, 2026
Issue: Vol. 44 No. 1 (2026)
Section Artículos


Keywords: sporting experience life purpose motivation positive youth development

Main Article Content

Authors

  Patrícia Aparecida Gaion
State University of Maringá, Physical Education Department, Paraná, Brazil
  José Roberto Andrade do Nascimento Junior
Brazilian Air Force University, Post-graduation Program in Operational Human Performance, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  Gabriel Lucas Morais Freire
State University of Maringá, Physical Education Department, Paraná, Brazil
  Sidonio Serpa
University of Lisbon, Department of Sport Science, Lisbon, Portugal
  Lenamar Fiorese
State University of Maringá, Physical Education Department, Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined motivation’s mediating role in the association between positive Sporting experience and life purpose. The sample comprised 473 Brazilian young athletes who participated in the Youth School Games. Data were collected using the Purpose in Life Test, Youth Experience Survey for Sport, and Sports Motivation Scale. Structural Equation Modeling indicated adequate data fit for the final model (χ2/df = 2.96; CFI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.06; SRMR = 0.05) and explained 27% of the variance in existential realization and 15% of the variance in existential emptiness. Intrinsic motivation was positively associated with existential realization and negatively associated with existential emptiness. The findings indicate that intrinsic motivation mediates the association between positive sporting experience and life purpose among young Brazilian athletes and is related to stronger feelings of existential realization. Because of the cross-sectional design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects. In practice, the results suggest that coaches and parents should promote environments that foster positive sporting experience and support self-determined motivation for practice.

References

Appleton, P. R., & Duda, J. L. (2016). Examining the interactive effects of coach-created empowering and disempowering climate dimensions on athletes’ health and functioning. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 26, 61–70. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.06.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.06.007

Aquino, T. A. A. d., Veloso, V. G., Aguiar, A. A. d., Serafim, T. D. B., Pontes, A. d. M., Pereira, G. d. A., & Fernandes, A. S. (2015). Questionário de Sentido de Vida: evidências de sua validade fatorial e consistência interna. Psicologia: Ciência e Profissão, 35(1), 4–19. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-3703001332012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-3703001332012

Bara Filho, M., Andrade, D., Miranda, R., Núñez, J. L., Martín-Albó, J., & Ribas, P. R. (2011). Preliminary validation of a brazilian version of the Sport Motivation Scale. Universitas Psychologica, 10(2), 557–566. https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.upsy10-2.pvbv DOI: https://doi.org/10.11144/Javeriana.upsy10-2.pvbv

Barcaccia, B., Couyoumdjian, A., Di Consiglio, M., Papa, C., Ganucci Cancellieri, U., & Cervin, M. (2023). Purpose in life as an asset for well-being and a protective factor against depression in adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1250279. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1250279 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1250279

Bean, C., Kramers, S., Forneris, T., & Camiré, M. (2018). The implicit/explicit continuum of life skills development and transfer. Quest, 70(4), 456–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2018.1451348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2018.1451348

Benson, A. J., & Bruner, M. W. (2018). How teammate behaviors relate to athlete affect, cognition, and behaviors: A daily diary approach within youth sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 34, 119–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.10.008 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.10.008

Benson, P. L., & Roehlkepartain, E. C. (2008). Spiritual development: A missing priority in youth development. New Directions for Youth Development, 2008(118), 13–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.253 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.253

Benson, P. L., Scales, P. C., Syvertsen, A. K., & Roehlkepartain, E. C. (2012). Is youth spiritual development a universal developmental process? An international exploration. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(6), 453–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.732102 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.732102

Byrne, B. M. (2013). Structural equation modeling with Mplus: Basic concepts, applications, and programming. Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203807644

Casellas-Grau, A., Vives, J., Font, A., & Ochoa, C. (2016). Positive psychological functioning in breast cancer: An integrative review. The Breast, 27, 136–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2016.04.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2016.04.001

Cheung, G. W., & Lau, R. S. (2008). Testing mediation and suppression effects of latent variables: Bootstrapping with Structural Equation Models. Organizational Research Methods, 11(2), 296–325. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428107300343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428107300343

Côté, J., Turnnidge, J., Murata, A., McGuire, C., & Martin, L. (2020). Youth sport research: Describing the integrated dynamics elements of the personal assets framework. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 51(6), 562–578. https://doi.org/10.7352/IJSP.2020.51.562 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119568124.ch27

Cronin, L., Marchant, D., Allen, J., Mulvenna, C., Cullen, D., Williams, G., & Ellison, P. (2019). Students’ perceptions of autonomy-supportive versus controlling teaching and basic need satisfaction versus frustration in relation to life skills development in PE. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 44, 79–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.05.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.05.003

Frankl, V.E. (2011). Em busca de sentido. 30. ed. São Leopoldo: Sinodal; Petrópolis: Vozes.

Girmenia, E., Andrissi, L., & Tambone, V. (2014). Sulle applicazioni cliniche della logoterapia: una rassegna sull’eredità di Victor Emil Frankl. La Clinica Terapeutica, 165(4), e330–335. https://doi.org/10.7417/CT.2014.1751

Gledhill, A., Harwood, C., & Forsdyke, D. (2017). Psychosocial factors associated with talent development in football: A systematic review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 31, 93–112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.04.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.04.002

Gu, Y., & Cheng, L. (2025). A systematic review and meta-analysis of motivational climate and youth sport outcomes: Examining a hierarchical effects model. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1716745. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1716745 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1716745

Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM. European Business Review, 31(1), 2–24. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203

Hair Jr, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Hopkins, L., & Kuppelwieser, V. G. (2014). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): An emerging tool in business research. European Business Review, 26(2),106–121. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-10-2013-0128

Holt, N. L., Neely, K. C., Slater, L. G., Camiré, M., Côté, J., Fraser-Thomas, J., MacDonald, D., Strachan, L., & Tamminen, K. A. (2017). A grounded theory of positive youth development through sport based on results from a qualitative meta-study. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10(1), 1–49. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2016.1180704 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2016.1180704

King, P. E., Carr, D., & Boitor, C. (2011). Religion, spirituality, positive youth development, and thriving. Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 41, 161–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386492-5.00007-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386492-5.00007-5

Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling. Guilford Publications.

Kub, J., & Solari-Twadell, P. A. (2013). Religiosity/spirituality and substance use in adolescence as related to positive development: A literature review. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 24(4), 247–262. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000006

Lima, C. P. D., & Machado, M. D. A. (2018). Cuidadores principais ante a experiência da morte: seus sentidos e significados. Psicologia: Ciência e Profissão, 38(1), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-3703002642015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-3703002642015

MacCallum, R. C., Browne, M. W., & Sugawara, H. M. (1996). Power analysis and determination of sample size for covariance structure modeling. Psychological Methods, 1(2), 130–149. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.1.2.130 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.1.2.130

Marôco, J. (2010). Análise de equações estruturais: fundamentos teóricos, software & aplicações. ReportNumber, Lda.

Monteiro, R., Monteiro, D., Nunes, C., Torregrossa, M., & Travassos, B. (2020). Identification of key career indicators in portuguese football players. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 15(4), 533–541. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120923198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954120923198

Nascimento Junior, J. R. A. d., Freire, G. L. M., Quinaud, R. T., Oliveira, D. V. d., & Cronin, L. D. (2021). Life skills development through sport in Brazil: A study based on self-determination theory. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 128(3), 1017–1036. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125211000860 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125211000860

Pierce, S., Gould, D., & Camiré, M. (2017). Definition and model of life skills transfer. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 10(1), 186–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2016.1199727 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2016.1199727

Qi, S., Hua, F., Zhou, Z., & Shek, D. T. (2020). Trends of positive youth development publications (1995–2020): A Scientometric Review. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 17(1), 421–446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09878-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09878-3

Ratner, K., Xie, H., Zhu, G., Estevez, M., & Burrow, A. L. (2024). Trajectories and predictors of adolescent purpose development in self-driven learning. Child Development, 96(2), 691–704. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14201

Rigby, C. S., & Ryan, R. M. (2018). Self-determination theory in human resource development: New directions and practical considerations. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 20(2), 133–147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422318756954 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422318756954

Rigoni, P. A. G., Nascimento Junior, J. R. A., Belem, I. C., Vieira, L. F., & MacDonald, D. J. (2018). Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the portuguese version of the Youth Experience Survey for Sport (P-YES-S). Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 22(4), 310–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2018.1446961 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2018.1446961

Rodrigues, F., Mageau, G. A., Lemelin, E., Teixeira, D., Vitorino, A., Cid, L., & Monteiro, D. (2021). Life Satisfaction of paralympians: The role of needs satisfaction and passion. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 17(3), 510–518. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211036224 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541211036224

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2021). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Rajagiri Management Journal, 15(1), 88-90. Guilford Publications.

Shek, D. T. (2012). Spirituality as a positive youth development construct: A conceptual review. The Scientific World Journal, 2012(1), Article 458953. https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/458953 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1100/2012/458953

Standage, M., & Ryan, R. M. (2020). Self-determination theory in sport and exercise. (Eds. G. Tenenbaum and R.C. Eklund). Handbook of Sport Psychology, 37-56. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119568124.ch3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119568124.ch3

Weinberg, R. S. (2013). Goal setting in sport and exercise: Research and practical applications. Revista da Educação Física/UEM, 24(2), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.4025/reveducfis.v24.2.17524 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4025/reveducfis.v24i2.17524

Whitley, M. A., Massey, W. V., Camiré, M., Boutet, M., & Borbee, A. (2019). Sport-based youth development interventions in the United States: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6387-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6387-z

Query Statistics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Publcation metrics

0




 

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Authors retain copyright and ensure the journal's right to be the first publication of the work as licensed under a Creative “Commons Attribution License” that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of authorship of the work and the initial publication in this journal.