ROLE OF INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION IN REDUCING PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG COLLEGE LEVEL ATHLETES

Abstract

College athletes often experience significant pressure due to the simultaneous demands of academic responsibilities and competitive sports participation. This study examined the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in reducing perceived stress among college-level athletes in District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. Guided by Self-Determination Theory, a quantitative, descriptive-correlational research design was used to analyze the relationship between motivational factors and perceived stress. A stratified random sample of college athletes, selected on the basis of gender and participation in individual and team sports, was included in the study. Data were collected through standardized and validated questionnaires measuring intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and perceived stress. The reliability of all instruments was confirmed to be high. The collected data were analyzed using statistical techniques including descriptive analysis, correlation, and multiple regression. The findings indicated that intrinsic motivation was strongly and negatively associated with perceived stress, suggesting that athletes with higher internal drive experience lower levels of stress. Extrinsic motivation also showed a moderate negative relationship with perceived stress, indicating a supportive but less influential role. The results further demonstrated that both forms of motivation significantly contributed to explaining variations in perceived stress among athletes, with intrinsic motivation emerging as the stronger predictor compared to extrinsic motivation. On the basis of results, the researcher concluded that athletes who are internally motivated are better able to interpret competitive and academic pressures as manageable challenges rather than stressors. While external rewards and recognition also contribute to reducing stress, their impact is comparatively limited. It is recommended that coaches, sports psychologists, and educational institutions focus on developing intrinsic motivation among athletes while also providing balanced external support systems to enhance psychological well-being, resilience, and overall sports performance.