Relationship between Sport Identity with Sport Commitment and Burnout of Paralympic Athletes of Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

The objective of this research is determination the relationship between sport identity and sport commitment and burnout of Paralympic athletes of Islamic Republic of Iran. Statistical population of this study is all present Paralympic athletes of Iran that were 95 people (73 males and 22 females), and statistical sample was selected as equivalent to the research population and by counting all. After collecting questionnaires, 89 of them were returned. Brewer et al. (2001) athletic identity standard questionnaires, Scanlan et al. (1993) sport commitment questionnaire, and Radek and Smith (2001) athlete burnout questionnaire were used. Descriptive statistical indexes and Pearson and regression coefficient were used simultaneously to analyze data. Results showed the positive and significant relationship between sport identity and sport commitment of Iran Paralympic athletes (P=0.001 and r=0.33). In addition, there is a positive and significant relationship between sport identity and elements of sport commitment including sport commitment and enjoyment (P=0.001 and r=0.32), sport enjoyment (p=0.001, r=0.18), involvement alternatives (P=0.03, r=0.16), personal investment (P=0.04, r=0.13), social constraints (p=0.001, r=0.26), and involvement opportunities (P=0.001, r=0.24). Moreover, there is a negative and significant relationship between sport identity, burnout, and its elements with burnout elements including physical/emotional exhaustion (P=0.001, r=0.29), reduced sense of accomplishment (P=0.001, r=0.51) and devaluation (P=0.001, r=0.32). Results of regression showed that sport identity significantly predicted sport commitment and burnout of Iran Paralympic athletes 0.23 and -0.43, respectively. Moreover, sport identity, sport commitment, and burnout of Iran Paralympic athletes didn’t have significant difference based on gender and presence in team and individual fields.