Psychological Performance Determinants in Wheelchair Basketball: The Roles of Self-Efficacy, Sport-Confidence, and Goal Orientation

Abstract

This study examined psychological performance determinants in 48 adult wheelchair basketball players, focusing on self-efficacy, sport-confidence, and goal orientation. Participants (38 male and 10 female) were analyzed by classification, sex, etiology, experience, and age. Outcome measures included the Basketball Self-Efficacy Scale, Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), and the Trait Sport-Confidence Inventory. T tests were performed to explore differences between groups. Results revealed significant differences in TEOSQ scores between classifications: High pointers (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation [IWBF] 4-4.5) had higher ego-orientation scores than low pointers (IWBF 1-1.5). Males had higher self-efficacy scores than females. Less-experienced athletes showed higher task-orientation scores. Pearson correlation tests revealed a strong negative correlation between TEOSQ and age and a moderate negative correlation between TEOSQ and experience. The findings provide insights into psychological performance determinants in wheelchair basketball players, offering a foundation for targeted coaching practices aimed at enhancing athletic performance.

Keywords: adaptive sports; classification; disability; para athletes; resilience.