PREVENTION OF EMOTIONAL BURNOUT AMONG ADOLESCENT ROWERS

Abstract

Summary. The study examined the psychological determinants of motivation and prevention of emotional burnout among adolescent athletes engaged in academic rowing, a sport combining individual effort and team coordination. Understanding how motivation interacts with emotional well-being at this age is crucial for developing psycho-pedagogical strategies that ensure long-term engagement and mental balance.

Purpose. To theoretically substantiate and empirically verify the relationship between motivational stability, perceived social support, and emotional well-being in young rowers aged 12–16. Material and methods. The study involved 20 athletes from specialized rowing schools. Research tools included the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II), Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Descriptive and correlational statistics (Spearman’s coefficient) were applied to analyze motivational and emotional indicators. Results and conclusions obtained. Intrinsic motivation predominated (M=5.8±0.7), indicating that enjoyment and mastery are leading factors in rowing motivation. A negative correlation between coach support and emotional exhaustion (r = –0.38; p<0.05) confirmed the buffering effect of supportive relationships. Emotional exhaustion was the most expressed burnout component, while depersonalization and reduced accomplishment appeared less significant. Based on these results, a psycho-pedagogical model of prevention was developed, integrating autonomy, competence, and relatedness as key self-determination components. The findings prove that consistent social interaction with coaches, teammates, and families supports motivational balance and psychological resilience, preventing burnout and maintaining optimal performance among adolescent rowers.