Athlete Identification and Decision-Making in Basketball Players: Age and Gender as Moderators

Aim: We examined the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making in basketball players, testing whether age and gender moderate this relationship.Method: The study employed the Athlete Identification Level Scale (AILS) and the Scale of Effective Decision-Making in Sport (SEDMS) within a quantitative framework. Data were analyzed via correlation, multiple linear regression, and moderation tests.Results: Athletic identity significantly and positively predicted internal decision-making. For external decision-making, image and career maturity was a significant negative predictor, whereas athletic identity was a significant positive predictor. Age and gender significantly moderated the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making. Specifically, higher athlete identification was associated with lower effective decision-making among older and female basketball players.Conclusion: The findings indicate that the relationship between athlete identification and effective decision-making varies according to age and gender. These results highlight the importance of considering demographic differences when addressing decision-making processes in basketball players.