Influence of achievement goal orientation, coach and parent-initiated motivational climate and sport supplement beliefs on attitudes towards doping among secondary school athletes in Kenya

Summary: 

This research had two primary objectives. First, it sought to examine how factors such as achievement goal orientation, coach-initiated motivational climate, parent-initiated motivational climate, and sport supplement beliefs influence attitudes towards doping among Kenyan secondary school athletes. Second, it aimed to investigate how sport supplement beliefs moderates the relationship between achievement goal orientation, coach-initiated motivational climate, parent-initiated motivational climate, and attitudes towards doping. The study was guided by theoretical frameworks, including achievement goal theory and theory of planned behavior.

Methodology

To explore these relationships, a cross-sectional analytical research design was employed, targeting 2,272 top secondary school athletes who participated in the 2022 Kenya Secondary School Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games. From this group, 685 athletes were selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 software. The analysis included descriptive statistics (e.g., means, standard deviations, and percentages) as well as Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical regression analysis to test hypotheses. Additionally, ANOVA and t-tests were conducted to assess the mean differences between athletes' demographic characteristics and attitudes towards doping.

Results

Attitudes towards doping among secondary school athletes in Kenya were influenced by factors such as their age and the specific sports they participated in, whereas gender did not emerge as a significant determinant.

Furthermore, the achievement goal orientation of these athletes, whether focused on task or ego, had an impact on their attitudes towards doping.

Additionally, attitudes towards doping among this group were shaped by the coach's motivational approach, encompassing both mastery-oriented and performance-oriented climates.

The motivational climate established by parents, which included both mastery-focused and performance-focused aspects, also played a role in influencing attitudes towards doping among these students.

Moreover, the beliefs held by these athletes regarding sports supplements had an effect on their attitudes towards doping. These beliefs about sports supplements acted as a moderator in the relationship between achievement goal orientation and attitudes towards doping among secondary school athletes in Kenya.

Similarly, the connection between the coach's motivational climate and attitudes towards doping among these students was moderated by their beliefs about sports supplements. However, it's noteworthy that sport supplement beliefs did not exert a moderating influence on the relationship between parent-initiated motivational climate and attitudes towards doping among secondary school athletes in Kenya.

Significance for Clean Sport

The significance of this research for anti-doping organizations lies in its practical application to develop more effective strategies for preventing doping among young athletes. By understanding the early influences on doping attitudes, such as achievement goals and motivational climates, anti-doping organizations can design targeted interventions that reshape these attitudes before they become entrenched. Promoting task-oriented goals and educating coaches and parents to foster mastery-oriented environments can serve as protective measures against doping temptations. Addressing misconceptions about sports supplements is also crucial, particularly in performance-oriented settings, to prevent them from becoming gateways to doping. Tailoring interventions to specific cultural and contextual factors ensures that anti-doping strategies are relevant and effective, especially in diverse settings like Kenya. By implementing these insights, anti-doping organizations can foster a culture of clean sport that endures throughout athletes' careers.