D.O.I: http:dx.doi.org/10.4127/ch.2013.

0082
Bahareh Nazari
1
, Sardar Mohammadi
2
, Mozafar Yektayar
3
1
Young Researchers Club, Science and Research Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, Iran
2
Department of Physical Education and Sport Science,
University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
3
Department of Sport Science, Sanandaj Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan, Iran
Abstract
In order to determine the relationship between self-confi-
dence and sport commitment with the sport identity of the
gymnasts of the premier league and the Iranian national team,
a correlation study was done in which 120 gymnasts of the
teams of premier league and members of the national team
were selected randomly. The measurement tools were the
standard questionnaires of sport self-confidence of Vealey
(1986), sport commitment of Scanlan (1993), and sport identi-
ty of Cieslak (2004). In order to determine the face and con-
tent validity (experts ideas), structure validity (factor and con-
firmatory analysis) and the reliability of the questionnaires,
Cronbach's Alpha ( = 0.825, 0.872, 0.821) was calculated. A
group of exerts approved the face and content validity of the
questionnaires. In order to analyze the data, descriptive and
illative statistical methods (multiple regression correlation test,
multivariable regression) were used. Findings showed that
there is a positive significant relationship between self-confi-
dence and sport identity (r = 0.665) and between sport com-
mitment and sport identity (r = 0.628). Results of the regres-
sion, further, showed that self-confidence (r = 0.671) and sport
commitment (r = 0.562) were the predictors of sport identity.
Key Words: Sport Self-Confidence, Sport Commitment, Sport
Identity.
T
h
e

R
e
l
a
t
i
o
n
s
h
i
p

b
e
t
w
e
e
n

S
e
l
f
-
C
o
n
f
i
d
e
n
c
e

a
n
d

S
p
o
r
t
C
o
m
m
i
t
m
e
n
t

w
i
t
h

S
p
o
r
t

I
d
e
n
t
i
t
y

i
n

t
h
e

E
l
i
t

G
y
m
n
a
s
t
s
Identity of a man includes his goals, values, interests, and expressions.
Moreover, identities are inner self-expectations that are mingled with social
communication networks (Struler & Serpe, 1982). Sport identity is defined as a
domain for the communication of a person with the role of an athlete; more-
over, sport identity for a person who identifies his identity with a sport role is
like a level of power and exclusiveness which commits him to the sport activi-
ties (Brewer, Van Raalte & Linder, 1993). To get off the lists, injuries, or ending
a professional career are of the cases which can cause problems for the so
called sport identity. For instance, a unique and strong sport identity can be
considered as a factor causing emotional disorders for the athletes who has
reached the end of their professional life. It is because these people have less
interest in exploring other careers or roles. According to Anderson, athletes
who have had a long professional career have higher levels of sport identity.
From the experimental perspectives, sport identity, health and physical benefits,
involving in physical activities and trainings (Wilson, 2000), increase social con-
nections and self-confidence (Petipas, 1978). A strong sport identity increases
the commitments of the athletes to participating in sport activities, therefore
self-confidence and sport commitment influences the sport identity of athletes.
Self-confidence is a key variable in association with sport administration
(Woodman & Hardy, 2003). Findings of a study show that most athletes
demonstrate a constant challenge of self confidence when they face the
pressure of competitions. That is why we can say that the sport self-confi-
dence is the most important factor affecting the sport performance. While
athletes are privy of the significance of self-confidence, some of them do not
have the skill to control this crucial mental feature. They see these features
in other athletes but not themselves. Coaches realize that athletes need
self-confidence to win. Psychologists believe that those people who have
low self-confidence can never make significant breakthroughs.
Researchers have defined sport self-confidence as the belief of the ath-
lete in the capability towards achieving success (Feltz & Chase, 1998). Iden-
tification of the influential mental factors on the sport performance and suc-
cess of athletes are of great importance. Researchers have shown claimed
that athletes with more self-confidence enjoy higher levels of performance
and that the sport self-confidence is higher in the athletes compared to non-
athletes (Dowlat, Bahram & Farrokhi, 2007).
It seems, however, that factors like experience, training quality, and get-
ting assistance from the experienced coaches and psychologists can have
considerable influence on the reduction of the negative behaviors and lack
of concentration as a result of a due match. Findings also show that the lev-
el of experience and skills of the athletes can be improved if they improve
their level of self-confidence (Shaji, 2010).
Studies conducted in Iran on the sources of sport self-confidence are very
few. Shojaeddin and Shafizadeh (Shojaeddin & Shafizadeh, 2004) failed to find a
68 SMIJ VOL. 9, Number 2, 2013
significant connection between sources of sport self-confidence and the perfor-
mance of the elite and non-elite adult athletes in individual and group sports and
the sources of sport self-confidence were not predictors of their performance level.
Vealey attempted to make practical the concept of sport self-confidence
by introducing a conceptual model of sport self-confidence and a question-
naire designed to identify the sources of sport self-confidence.
Furthermore, commitment is one of the influential factors in the sport iden-
tity of athletes and according to Becker commitment is a word for describing
peoples tendencies in the direction of certain behaviors (Becker, 1966).
Sport commitment is defined as demonstration of a mental structure for
continuing the sport activities (Scanlan, 1993) in a way that this commit-
ment is estimated by the sport enjoyment, challenges, and the deterrent
forces that people face after competitions (personal investments, social pres-
sures, and challenge opportunities).
With regards to the fact that having information about the condition of the
sport self confidence of gymnasts of the national team and the premier
league as well as the relationship of these two on sport identity can bring
about awareness of athletes and coaches about the current situation, the
present study aims to find this relationship.
Therefore, findings of this study can have positive effects in the minds of ath-
letes and gymnastics coaches in terms of recognizing this relationship and its ef-
fects and also improve the potentials of athletes and coaches and provide useful
feedback for the coaches of the countrys gymnastics coach in their career.
Methodology
The present study is a description of correlation. The statistical population in-
cludes 271 gymnasts of the national team and 252 gymnasts of the premier
league (N = 523). Using a random sampling and according to Korji and Mor-
gans table 60 gymnasts of the national team and 60 gymnasts of the premier
league were selected. Instruments of the measurement of research variables
were: 1. Questionnaire of the self-confidence of et al. (1986) 2. Sport commit-
ment questionnaire (Scanlan, 1993) 3. Sport identity questionnaire (Cieslak,
2004). In order to determine the face and content validity, experts ideas were
used and to achieve reliability exploring factor and confirmatory analysis were
used. Results of the exploring factor analysis with Varimax Rotation for scales of
sport identity (df = 72, P = 0.001, KB = 3.52, KMO = 0.932), Sport commitment
(DF = 81, P = 0.001, KB = 4.12, KMO = 0.926), Sport self-confidence (df = 68,
P = 0.001, KB = 2.95, KMO = 0.912) were significant. Values of the confirmatory
factor analysis were obtained for scales of sport self-confidence (P = 0.000,
df = 2, KMO = 0.982 AGFI=0.912), sport commitment (P = 0.000, df = 2,
AGFI = 0.922) and sport identity (P = 0.000, df = 3, AGFI = 0.971). in order to
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SPORT COMMITMENT WITH SPORT IDENTITY 69
determine the reliability Cronbachs Alpha was used that the results for the
questionnaires were as follows: sport self-confidence: = 0.825, sport commit-
ment: = 0.872 and sport identity: = 0.821. In order to organize the data, de-
scriptive statistics were used. In the illative statistics, exploring factor and con-
firmatory analysis were used. In order to examine the structural validity multiple
correlation was used. Multivariable regression was used to examine the rela-
tionship among variables of self-confidence, sport commitment with sport identi-
ty. Determination of the share of each predictor variable (sport self-confidence
and sport commitment) in the prediction of the independent variable (sport iden-
tity) was conducted by LISREL software version 8.57 and SPSS version 20.
Findings
Table 1 shows the individual features of the responders. Findings showed
that there is a relationship between self-confidence and sport identity of the
gymnasts of the premier league and the Iranian national team (Table 2).
Table 1. The Descriptive Statistics of Individual Features of the Re-
sponders.
Age
Experience in Experience in
Population Gender
[M 6SD]
National Team Club Teams
[M 6SD] [M 6SD]
gymnast of Gender Number Percentage
national team
Male 79 65.8 3.2 619 4.6 68 6.8 68
and the premier
Female 41 34.2
league
Table 2. Mean, SD, and Correlation Matrix related to self-confidence
and its subscales with sport identity.
Variables X

6Sd
Sport Identity
R P
X

6Sd
self-confidence 6.59 692 0.59 0.01
adjectival 6.64 61.01 0.52 0.01
state 6.47 682
6.65 692
0.51 0.01
sport 6.65 60.92 0.73 0.01
70 SMIJ VOL. 9, Number 2, 2013
Results obtained from multiple regression test with the method of inserting
variables of self-confidence simultaneously for the prediction of sport identity can
significantly anticipate the so called sport identity. As can be seen findings for the
subscales are as follows; Adjectival self-confidence (F = 27/32, P = 0.001,
r
2
= 0.431), the subscale of state self-confidence (F = 138/5, P = 0.000, r
2
= 0.606)
and the subscale of sport self-confidence (F = 62/3, P = 0/001, r
2
= 0.533).
Table 3. Statistic Identifiers, Level and Direction of the Influence of
the Factors of Sport Self-Confidence on Sport Identity.
Predicting Variables B Beta Coefficient t P
sport 0.251 0.120 2.871 0.001
adjectival 0.156 0.222 2.023 0.001
state 0.121 0.201 2.635 0.003
< 0.05
Findings showed that there is a relationship between sport commitment
and sport identity of the gymnasts of the premier league and the national
team (Table 4).
Table 4. Mean, SD, and the correlation matrix related to the sport
commitment and its subscales with sport identity.
Factors of sport participation
X

6Sd
Sport Identity
R P
commitment X

6Sd
Commitment 7.91 61.3 0.62 0.01
Enjoying the sport 6.87 60.953 0.52 0.01
Frequency of participation 6.20 61.15 7.82 60.437 0.682 0.01
Personal investments 5.18 61.120 0.57 0.01
Social limitations 5.24 61.67 0.510 0.01
Participation opportunities 6.89 60.96 0.59 0.01
Results obtained from multiple regression test with the method of insert-
ing variables of self-confidence simultaneously for the prediction of sport
identity can significantly anticipate the so called sport identity. As can be
seen findings for the subscales are as follows; Adjectival self-confidence
(F = 30.78 P = 0.001, r
2
= 0.436), the subscale of state self-confidence
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SPORT COMMITMENT WITH SPORT IDENTITY 71
(F = 40.29, P = 0.000, r
2
= 0.780), and the subscale of sport self-confidence
(F = 42.95, P = 0.000, r
2
= 0.731) (Table 5).
Table 5. Statistic Identifiers, Level and Direction of the Influence of
the Factors of Sport Self-Confidence on Sport Identity.
Predicting Variables B Beta Coefficient t P
sport 0.251 0.320 2.871 0.001
adjectival 0.156 0.222 2.023 0.001
state 0.121 0.201 2.635 0.003
< 0.05
Results obtained from multiple regression test with the method of inserting
variables of self-confidence simultaneously for the prediction of sport identity can
significantly anticipate the sport identity. As can be seen findings for the sub-
scales are as follows; Adjectival self-confidence (F = 29.42, P = 0.001, r
2
= 0.431),
the subscale of state self-confidence (F = 20.52, P = 0.000, r
2
= 0.562), and the
subscale of sport self-confidence (F = 41.30, P = 0.000 , r
2
= 0.436) (Table 5).
Table 6. Mean, SD, and the correlation matrix related to the sport
commitment and its subscales with sport identity.
Predicting Variables B Beta Coefficient t P
Commitment 0.192 0.232 2.871 0.001
Enjoying the sport 0.242 0.211 2.023 0.001
Frequency of participation 0.213 0.149 2.635 0.000
Personal investments 0.138 0.131 1.605 0.010
Social limitations 0.152 0.218 1.928 0.002
Participation opportunities 0.169 0.169 1.238 0.031
< 0.05
Discussion and Conclusion
Findings showed that there is a positive significant relationship between self-
confidence and sport identity of the gymnasts of the premier league and the na-
tional team of Iran. These findings are consistent with the results of Vealey
72 SMIJ VOL. 9, Number 2, 2013
(1998) because they showed that external sources have a predicting role over
lower levels of adjectival sport self-confidence of athletes. According to the con-
ceptual model of Vealey, sport self-confidence is in association with performance
(Vealy, 1998). Moreover, this study is consistent with Bandura, Feltz & Chase s
study (2009) because they showed that the desirable position in sport self-confi-
dence of athletes is an important factor. They concluded that the previous per-
formance of a person is the most reliable source of information about self-suffi-
ciency or self-confidence (Bandura, 1986; Feltz & Lirgg, 2009). Findings also
showed that there is a positive significant relationship between sport commitment
and sport identity of gymnasts of the premier league and the national team of
Iran. It can also be admitted that these findings are in consistency with the find-
ings of Kshvl and Mayrs (2007) who investigated issues like sport identity, sport
commitment, time in sport, social supports and life satisfaction in student athletes
which showed statistical discrepancies among statistical samples in the vari-
ables under study. They found that life satisfaction has a significant role in ath-
letes sport identity and commitment and the more the satisfaction increases the
more commitment will grow (Erin Reifsteck, 2011). The other result of this re-
search indicates that self-confidence and sport commitment are predictors of
sport commitment in gymnasts of the premier league and the national team. It
became clear that 43% of variance of the sport identity variable is determined by
sport commitment factors and 57% of variance of sport identity variable is deter-
mined by self-confidence factors. In substantiation of this hypothesis we can
say that findings of this study were consistent with the study of Dowlat Abadi
(2007). They showed that the source of the optimal condition in all three levels
were predictors of the performance level of female gymnasts. They also showed
that social supports in elementary levels and physical self-exposure plus the
leading behavior of the coaches in elementary levels were the predicting sources
of the performance of female gymnasts. They found that higher self-confidence
can improve the performance level of the athletes, however, it is important to no-
tice that the samples were not the same (Dowlat Abadi et. al., 1007). Findings of
Astyvchn (2010) in substantiation of the previous research showed significant
discrepancies in athletes sport identity and also depicted the association of
sport commitment with the level of sport activities. They also found that higher
sport commitment can lead to higher identity in people (Stevens, 2010).
In general, we can say that sport self-confidence and sport commitment
have a significant relationship with sport identity of gymnasts of the premier
league and the Iranian national team. With regards to the role of sport com-
mitment in sport identity we conclude that there is a significant relationship
between sport commitment of gymnasts and their sport identity. Self-confi-
dence and sport commitment can be predictors of sport identity in gymnasts.
Therefore, it is suggested that sport counselors should teach athletes and
students the principles of self-confidence, sport identity and sport commit-
ment to help people who have problems in this respect.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SPORT COMMITMENT WITH SPORT IDENTITY 73
References
Adegbesan, O.A., (2010). Analysis of Imagery Use as Predictors of Football
Players' Sport Confidence. World Journal of Sport Sciences, 3(1): 53-58
Bandura, A., (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: Identifying
Influential Data and Source of Colinearity, New york: Wiley
Becker, H.S., (1966). Notes on the concept of commitment. American Jour-
nal of Sociology, 66, 32-40
Brewer, B.W., Van Raalte, J.L. & Linder, D.E., (1993). Athletic identity Her-
cules' muscles or Achilles heel? International Journal of Sport Psycholo-
gy, 24, 237-254
Dowlat Abadi, L., Bahram, A. & Farrokhi, A., (2007). Predicting sources of
sport self-confidence in the performance level of female gymnasts.
Olympic, Fall 2007, No. 39. pp. 81-94
Erin J., Reifsteck, (2011). The relationship between athletic identity and
physical activity levels after retirement from collegiate sports. Thesis Sub-
mitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School at The University of North
Carolina at Greensboro
Feltz, D.L. & Chase, M.A., (1998). The measurement of self-efficacy and
confidence in sport, in J. Duara (Ed.). Advancements in sport and exer-
cise psychology measurement, pp. 63-78, Morgantown
Feltz, D.L. & Lirgg C.D., (2009). Perceived Team and Player Efficacy in
Hockey. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. Tayolor & Francis Publish-
ers . Vol, 83 . pp. 557-564
Petipas, A.J., (1978). Identity foreclosure. A unique challenge Personnel and
Guidance Journal, 56, 558-561
Scanlan, T.K., Carpenter, P.J., Schmidt, G.W., Simons, J.P. & Keeler, B.,
(1993). An introduction to the Sport Commitment Model. Journal of Sport
& Exercise Psychology, 15(1), 1-14
Shaji, R., (2010). Comparison of the sport identity of the handball players of
the Iranian national team. Quarterly of Research in Sport Sciences, No.
26, Spring, p. 1
Shojaeddin, S. & Shafizadeh, M., (2004). Comparison of the sources of sport
self-confidence among elite and non-elite athletes and its relation with
sport performance. Research proposal, Faculty of physical education and
sport sciences, Tarbiat Moallem University
Stevens, (2010). Elementary pre-service teachers' knowledge and beliefs re-
garding science and mathematics. School Science and Mathematics, 96,
29
Stryker, S., Serpe, R., (1982). "Commitment, Identity Salience and Role Be-
havior: Theory and Research Example", in W. Ickes & E.S. Knowles
(Eds.). Personality, roles, and social behavior. New York: Springer-Verlag.
pp. 199-218
74 SMIJ VOL. 9, Number 2, 2013
Vealey, R.S., Hayashi, S.W., Garner-Holman, M. & Gicobbi, P., (1998).
Source of Sport-Confidence: Conceptualization and Instrument Develop-
ment. Journal of Sport Exercise Psychology. Human kinetics Publishers,
Inc. Vol. 20(1), pp. 50-80
Wilson, J., (2000). "Volunteering annual review of sociology". Vol. 26, pp.
215-240
Woodman, T. & Hardy, L., (2003). The relative impact of cognitive anxiety:
and self-con?dence upon sports performance A meta-analysis. Journal of
Sports Sciences, 21, 443-457
Address for correspondence:
Sardar Mohammadi, PhD
Department of Sport Management,
Faculty of P.E. & Sport Sciences,
University of Kurdistan
Sanandaj, Iran
e-mail: sardarmohammadii@gmail.com
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SPORT COMMITMENT WITH SPORT IDENTITY 75