Predictors of Purpose and Integrity Among Intercollegiate Athletes

In this study of first-year intercollegiate athletes (N = 2241), we examined predictors of the character-rich qualities of life purpose and integrity. Three dimensions of purpose were included—seeking purpose, found purpose, and purpose beyond-the-self. The predictor variables investigated included contesting orientations, fear of failure, goal orientations, grit, self-control, and contingent self-esteem. Results indicated that contesting orientations, rooted in the conceptual metaphors of partnership and war, were consistently among the best predictors of the dimensions of purpose and integrity, with other variables also added to some or all of the prediction models. Taken together, results generally fit the predictions of contesting theory, and are discussed in terms of implications for coaches and youth sport program leaders.