Psychological Factors and Athletic Success: A Study on District-Level Basketball Players

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between psychological factors including emotion, self-talk, self-efficacy, goal orientation, and intrinsic motivation—and basketball performance among athletes in Segamat district, Johor, Malaysia. Using a quantitative approach, the Sport Psychology Questionnaire and the Athlete’s Subjective Performance Scale (ASPS) were employed to assess 140 athletes (70 males, 70 females) aged 7–15 from selected primary and secondary schools. The findings indicate a significant negative correlation between emotion and performance, while self-efficacy, goal orientation, self-talk, and intrinsic motivation exhibit significant positive correlations. These results suggest that basketball athletes in Segamat demonstrate satisfactory psychological well-being, contributing to enhanced competitive performance. Coaches and sports committees should continue fostering psychological well-being to enhance athletes’ confidence and potential for success. Future research should explore other sports and diverse age groups to enhance generalizability. Longitudinal studies could examine how psychological factors evolve, while intervention-based research on psychological training programs may provide insights into performance enhancement strategies. Integrating qualitative methods could further deepen the understanding of athletes' psychological experiences.