Running away from stress: How regulatory modes prospectively affect athletes' stress through passion

Abstract

A prospective field study conducted with runners training for an upcoming marathon (Marathon of Rome 2013) examined the relation between regulatory modes, locomotion and assessment, and stress. Integrating regulatory mode theory and the dualistic model of passion, we hypothesized that the relation between regulatory modes (evaluated 3 months before the race) and the experience of stress approaching the marathon, is mediated by the type of passion (harmonious vs obsessive) athletes experience with regard to marathoning. Results revealed that (a) locomotion positively predicted harmonious passion, which in turn reduced athletes' experience of stress; and (b) assessment positively predicted obsessive passion, which in turn enhanced athletes' experience of stress. Overall, the present results suggest that proximal psychological mechanisms such as basic regulatory mode orientations can predict distal outcomes such as stress indirectly through their relation with motivational phenomena such as passion.

How stressful is retirement! Antecedents of stress linked to athletes’ career termination

“…Furthermore, we expect that the relationship between locomotion, assessment, NFC, and stress would be, at least partially, mediated by the types of passion (harmonious and obsessive) athletes develop for their sport activities. More specifically, consistent with previous research (Bélanger et al, ; Lucidi et al, ), we hypothesize locomotion tendencies to lead athletes to develop a harmonious passion for their sports because this kind of passion allows for movement and change from one life domain to another, and this in turn should reduce stress. On the other hand, assessment tendencies lead athletes to be relatively ruminative on their activities, thus developing an obsessive passion which, in turn, should lead to higher levels of stress.…”

“…This suggests that locomotion concerns may help athletes coping with stress linked to career termination, while assessment tendencies should cause them to suffer more of this type of stress. Furthermore, there is evidence suggesting that the two regulatory mode orientations influence how people engage in their activities and how, over time, these activities are integrated into people's identities (Lucidi et al, ). More specifically, a recent research has shown indeed that marathon runners’ individual differences in locomotion and assessment influence the types of passion they develop for running, and this in turn predict stress while preparing a marathon race.…”

“…More specifically, a recent research has shown indeed that marathon runners’ individual differences in locomotion and assessment influence the types of passion they develop for running, and this in turn predict stress while preparing a marathon race. More specifically, locomotion positively influences harmonious passion which in turn predict a lower stress, while assessment positively influences obsessive passion which in turn predict higher stress while runners are preparing a marathon race (see Lucidi et al, ).…”

Directive versus participative leadership: Dispositional antecedents and team consequences

“…Thus, individuals high in locomotion orientation tend to adopt an autocratic and imperative behavioural style (Pierro et al ., ). Research has found that locomotion correlates positively with harmonious passion and that individuals high in locomotion enhance workers’ psychological adjustment to reduce their pressure (Bélanger et al ., ; Lucidi et al ., ). High‐locomotion individuals in a position of authority are likely to instruct followers to take action and complete work goals (Kruglanski et al ., ).…”

“…Individuals high in assessment orientation are likely to adopt a collaborative behavioural style (Kruglanski et al ., ). High assessors in a position of authority have less psychological adjustment ability than high locomotors have, which aggravates their experience of stress (Bélanger et al ., ; Lucidi et al ., ). Consequently, highly assessment‐oriented leaders prefer to evaluate their work methods, participate in work processes, and apply an open and supportive style to buffer psychological pressure and ensure the expected results (Kruglanski et al ., ).…”