Causal Relationships of Cognitive and Affective Processes of Intention to Change with the Components of Sport Commitment Model among Athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationships of cognitive and affective processes of intention to change with the components of sport commitment model among athletes. To this aim, 370 student athletes studying physical education (184 males and 186 females) were sampled using simple cluster random method from the Tehran city’s Islamic Azad universities and completed the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling at a 95% confidence level. The results showed that perception of change by increasing irrational ideas and subsequently increasing negative emotions has a significant effect on the decrease of intention to change. Also, intention to change directly, as well as through reducing sport enjoyment and involvement opportunities, and increasing involvement alternatives, had a significant effect on the sport commitment. The findings are discussed with emphasis on the mechanism of sport commitment formation in situations demanding change.