An examination of the relationship between goal orientation and mindfulness levels according to playing positions of football players
Keywords:
Football, Goal Orientation, Mindfulness, Playing PositionAbstract
This study investigated the relationship between goal orientation and mindfulness in football players, while also examining differences across playing positions. A cross-sectional design incorporating both correlational and comparative approaches was employed. The sample consisted of 180 licensed football players competing as goalkeepers (n = 32), defenders (n = 46), midfielders (n = 62), and strikers (n = 40). Data were collected using validated scales measuring task and ego orientation, as well as athlete mindfulness. Prior to the main analyses, normality assumptions were tested and satisfied. Differences across playing positions were examined using one-way ANOVA, while relationships between variables were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. The results revealed no statistically significant differences across playing positions in overall goal orientation (p = .990, η² = 0.00), task orientation (p = 0.348, η² = 0.02), or mindfulness sub-dimensions, including awareness (p = 0.292, η² = 0.02), non-judging (p = 0.413, η² = 0.02), and refocusing (p = 0.255, η² = 0.02). Descriptive findings indicated that task orientation scores were consistently higher than ego orientation scores across all position groups. Similarly, among mindfulness dimensions, refocusing demonstrated the highest mean values across all positions. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive relationships between mindfulness and goal orientation across all playing positions (p < 0.01), with correlation coefficients ranging between r = 0.551 and r = 0.818. In conclusion, football players exhibited similar goal orientation and mindfulness profiles regardless of playing position, with effect sizes indicating negligible practical differences. The findings also indicate a consistent positive association between mindfulness and goal orientation, suggesting that these psychological constructs may operate in an interrelated manner within football performance contexts.
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