The crucial role of perceived control in adolescent athletes' success: a study of engagement in the Philippines
Main Article Content
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17979/sportis.2025.11.2.11656Abstract
This study examines the mediating role of perceived control in the relationship between sports engagement and success perceptions among adolescent athletes in Regions IX and X, Philippines. Using a quantitative, correlational research design, data were collected from 150 student-athletes aged 18–25 years through stratified random sampling. Validated instruments—including the Sports Engagement Scale, Perceived Control Scale, and Success Perception Scale—were employed to ensure reliability and internal consistency. Statistical analyses indicated a strong positive correlation between sports engagement and success perceptions (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) and a significant mediating effect of perceived control (β = 0.41, p < 0.01), emphasizing its role in emotional regulation, resilience, and performance under high-pressure conditions. Findings further revealed gender-based differences in perceived control (t = 2.35, p = 0.02) and variations across sports disciplines (F(3,146) = 4.28, p = 0.007). These results suggest that targeted psychological interventions to enhance perceived control could optimize both performance and well-being. The study provides actionable insights for athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists, reinforcing the importance of developing psychological resources for sustained athletic success.
Keywords:
Article Details
References
Adam Assim, M. I. S., Yaacob, A., Kamalden, T. F. T., & Wazir, M. R. W. N. (2024). Advancing holistic development in college student-athletes: Probing prosocial behavior, gratitude, and the satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd9002
Arshad, M. A., & Ming, P. N. (2024). An overview of employee engagement and its relationship to employee performance: In the background of human resource development. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i4/21139
Chan, R. A., Wong, M. T., & Lau, T. K. (2021). The role of perceived control in emotional resilience: Implications for athlete performance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 43(2), 123–137. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2021-0123
Chanda, S., & Shrivastava, D. (2024). Championing equality and inclusivity: Leveraging the principles of TEFU Article 165 to forge a bias-free society in Indian sports. ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 5(5). https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i5.2024.2099
Chaturvedi, H. (2024). Mindful archery: A three-week yogic intervention for enhancing concentration and body awareness in archers. International Journal of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, 19(1), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.29070/qn329190
Cynarski, W. J., & Litwiniuk, A. (2021). Goal orientations and psychological well-being in sports: A conceptual review. European Journal of Sport Science, 21(5), 712–725. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1821789
Fletcher, D. (2021). Stress-related growth and resilience (pp. 191–221). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429295874-13
Fletcher, D., Sarkar, M., & Jenkins, G. (2020). Resilience in elite sport: Psychological mechanisms for optimal performance. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 18(4), 456–472. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2019.1626162
Gakh, R., Kramchenkova, V., Kuznetsov, O., Prytula, O., & Furman, A. (2024). Self-regulatory strategies as a means of counteracting burnout in professional athletes. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health. https://doi.org/10.70135/seejph.vi.722
Gandrapu, A., & Rakesh, K. R. (2024). Sports psychology: Mental skills training and performance enhancement strategies for athletes. International Sports Science Journal, 1(3), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.36676/iss.v1.i3.13
García Peñas, V., López Martínez, O., Garcés de Los Fayos Ruiz, E., & Corbalán Berná, F. J. (2024). Psychological well-being and healthy personality in sports practice. Retos: Nuevas Tendencias En Educación Física, Deportes y Recreación, 61, 49–58. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v61.106260
García-Haro, M. A., Sánchez-López, R., & Chinchilla-Mira, I. (2021). Emotional regulation and performance in young athletes: A longitudinal perspective. European Journal of Sports Science, 21(3), 332–341. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1757765
Ihsan, F., Nasrulloh, A., Nugroho, S., & Yuniana, R. (2024). Mental training strategies in improving sport performance: A literature review. Journal of Athletic Performance, 24(3), 15–22. https://doi.org/10.56984/8zg020atip
Kania, D., Romaniszyn-Kania, P., Bugdol, M., Tuszy, A., Ledwoń, D., Pollak, A., & Mitas, A. W. (2024). Flow and physiological response assessment during exercise using metrorhythmic stimuli. Journal of Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.5114/jhk/187804
Kollmann, B., Meier, J., Meine, L. E., Meyer, B., Yuen, K. S. L., Storck, M., Tüscher, O., & Wessa, M. (2024). Perceived control as a resilience factor: Influences on neural, physiological and affective stress responses and mental health. Preprint in OSF. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/szpa7
Kumbar, S., & Patil, B. M. (2024). Investigating levels of mental toughness and resilience among athletes and their contributions to performance in competitive sports. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.0424.0914
Latif, R., Majeed, H., Tumijan, W., Tajri, A. A., Rajli, M. A., Hidayat, Y., & Hambali, B. (2024). Enhancing athletic well-being: Unraveling the impact of social support. Information Management and Business Review, 16(3(I)), 248–256. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v16i3(i).3796
Longakit, J., Toring-Aque, L., Aque, F. M., Sayson, M., & Lobo, J. (2024). The role of coach-athlete relationship on motivation and sports engagement. Physical Education of Students, 28(5), 268–278. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2024.0503
Lonsdale, C., Hodge, K., & Raedeke, T. D. (2020). Athlete engagement: A conceptual and measurement review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 46, 101613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101613
Mansell, P., Sparks, K., Wright, J., Roe, L., Carrington, S., Lock, J., & Slater, M. (2023). Mindset: Performing under pressure – A multimodal cognitive-behavioural intervention to enhance the well-being and performance of young athletes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2296900
Martiny, L. E., Theil, L. Z., Neto, E. M., Dias, G. P., Ferreira, J. P., & Mendes, R. M. (2023). Effects of flow states on elite athletes in team sports: A systematic review. Foco. https://doi.org/10.54751/revistafoco.v16n8-118
Mursaleen, M., Khan, B., Sohail, S., Batool, Z., Khan, A. M., & Saeed, H. (2024). The psychological benefits of mindfulness meditation on emotional regulation. Journal of Policy Research, 10(3), 306–311. https://doi.org/10.61506/02.00347
Naboychenko, E. S., Noskova, M. V., & Shershnev, V. N. (2022). Mental stability of elite athletes in individual and team sports as a key to successful sports activities. Perspektivy Nauki i Obrazovaniâ, 60(6), 445–458. https://doi.org/10.32744/pse.2022.6.26
Ortenburger, D., Mosler, D., Langfort, J., & Wąsik, J. (2022). Feeling of meaningfulness and anxiety of Taekwon-Do fighters in a salutogenic notion. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), 15658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315658
Raimundi, M. J., Celsi, I., Pérez-Gaido, M., Schmidt, V., Castillo, I., & Álvarez, O. (2024). Engagement in youth athletes as a positive experience in sport: Implications of gender, age, and competitive level. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 14(6), 1597–1613. https://doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe14060106
Sava, M. A., Jolde, N., & Olar, S. (2024). The impact of cultural values on sporting excellence: A study of nations worldwide. International Journal of Academic Research in Business & Social Sciences, 14(9). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v14-i9/22297
Schellenberg, B. J. I., & Lötscher, J. (2024). Passion and engagement in sport: A look at athletes and coaches using a quadripartite approach. PsyArXiv Preprints. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/bw8rf
Scoles, P. (2020). Building recovery resilience through culture, community, and spirituality. Journal of Behavioral Health and Psychology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.33425/2832-4579/20004
Su, N., Si, G., Liang, W., Bu, D., & Jiang, X. (2024). Mindfulness and acceptance-based training for elite adolescent athletes: A mixed-method exploratory study. Frontiers in Psychology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1401763
Tilindienė, I. (2024). The relationship between emotional intelligence and sports motivation in athletes. Laisvalaikio Tyrimai, 23, 26–35. https://doi.org/10.33607/elt.v1i23.1460
Tóth, R., Resperger, V., & Tóth, L. (2024). Optimizing athletes’ mindsets: Application of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) in sport. Journal of Sport Psychology, 53(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1556/1020.2024.00008
Varmus, M., Kubina, M., & Adámik, R. (2021). Sport and sport environment (pp. 35–86). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66733-7_3
Víquez-Paniagua, A. G., Leiva, J. C., & Mora-Esquivel, R. (2024). The effect of vigor and affective commitment on the performance of women student entrepreneurs: The moderating role of the social and university environment. Cuadernos de Gestión. https://doi.org/10.5295/cdg.242159av
Wahyuni, E. N., Maksum, A., Aziz, R., & Mangestuti, R. (2024). Strategies for students’ well-being development: The task-oriented classroom approach. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 14(1), 535. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i1.30158
Winkens, J., & Hamstra, M. R. W. (2023). Does encouraging mastery goals benefit performance in a scoring exercise? It may depend on chronic self-adopted achievement goals. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12979
Zhang, S., Roberts, R., Woodman, T., Pitkethly, A., English, C., & Nightingale, D. (2021). Foresee the glory and train better: Narcissism, goal-setting and athlete training. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 10(3), 381–393. https://doi.org/10.1037/SPY0000264

