Perceptions of the Social Psychological Climate and Sport Commitment in Adolescent Athletes: A Multilevel Analysis

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between the social psychological climate and sport commitment on both the individual and team level. High school athletes (n = 400) competing on 27 different teams completed motivational climate, caring climate, and sport commitment measures. Multilevel models were constructed to examine the hierarchical relationship between the climates and commitment. Task-involving (γ₂₀ =.15, t = 2.31, p =.02) and caring climates (γ₁₀ =.33, t = 3.48, p =.002) were significantly related to commitment on the individual level, and a task-involving climate (γ₀₂ = 1.13, t = 2.90, p =.008) was significantly related to commitment on the team level. In an effort to enhance commitment, coaches and sport psychology consultants may wish to employ strategies targeted toward the facilitation of task-involving and caring climates.