Cain, J., Voss, E., Mayo, M. H., Dobersek, U., Everett, K. L., & Beekley, M D. (2016). Differences in sport motivation, self-esteem and grit among collegiate swimmers and divers. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 48(5), Supplement abstract number 210.

This study examined sport motivation, grit, trait self-esteem, and the potential for scholarship influences or class standing effects in collegiate swimmers and divers (M = 24; F = 27). Ss aged 18 to 23 completed the 12-item Short Grit Scale measuring grit, the 18-item Sport Motivation Scale II measuring six constructs [intrinsic, integrated, identified, introjected, external, and amotivated regulation], the 10-item Trait Self-Esteem Scale measuring one’s self-worth, and a demographics survey. All tests were paper-based and self-reported. Gender comparisons were analyzed.

Differences between males and females were revealed for external motivation, integrated motivation, identified motivation, and grit. Males scored higher than females on external motivation. Females scored higher than males on introjected and identified motivations, and on grit. However, there were no statistically significant differences between males and females in intrinsic, introjected, and amotivation motivations and trait self-esteem. Also, there were no differences in sport motivation, grit, and trait self-esteem between swimmers and divers who had full, partial, or no scholarships as well as between freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors.

Implication. Higher external motivation (rewards and punishments directing behavior) in males and higher integrated motivation (congruency between value and individuals’ goals and needs), identified motivation (perceived autonomy, personal commitment and engagement), and grit in females were revealed.

[Editor's comment: When examining differences between small samples, the likelihood of significant findings is increases with the number of variables compared. Generally in multivariate analyses, at a minimum, the sample size needs to be greater than 30 times the number of variables compared.]

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