Fear of failure as a multidimensional predictor of motivational quality in team sport student-athletes

Fear of failure is a pervasive psychological pressure in competitive sport, yet its influence on the quality of motivation among student-athletes in team sports remains insufficiently clarified. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study examined whether fear of failure functions as an adaptive or maladaptive correlate of motivational regulation among university student-athletes engaged in team sports. A total of 421 student-athletes completed validated measures of fear of failure and sport motivation. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the multidimensional structure of fear of failure and the two-factor model of autonomous and controlled motivation. Bivariate and multiple regression analyses revealed that fear of failure was negatively associated with both autonomous and controlled motivation. Although the association with autonomous motivation was statistically significant, its practical effect was minimal. In contrast, fear of failure demonstrated a stronger negative relationship with controlled motivation. Socially evaluative fears, particularly concerns related to shame and interpersonal disappointment, emerged as the most influential predictors. These findings suggest that elevated fear of failure may operate as a broader motivational inhibitor rather than a pressure-driven catalyst within team sport contexts. The results underscore the importance of autonomy-supportive and psychologically safe environments in sustaining adaptive motivational regulation among student-athletes.