Differences in goal orientations and affective experiences among athlete burnout profiles

Athlete burnout is a growing concern in the sport context, affecting performance, psychological well-being, and long-term engagement. While traditional research often uses a variable-centered approach, a person-centered perspective may offer deeper insight into burnout patterns and their connection to athletes' experiences. Using a person-centered approach, the present study aimed to: (a) identify athlete burnout profiles based on perceptions of physical and emotional exhaustion, reduced accomplishment, and sport devaluation, and (b) examine how these specific burnout patterns relate to athletes’ goal orientations and affective experiences. A total of 249 high-level athletes (ages 18-39 years, M = 23.7, SD = 4.1) completed online surveys assessing burnout perceptions, goal orientations (ego/task), distress, and resilience. Latent profile analysis identified three profiles: Low, Moderate and Relatively High Burnout, respectively. Results showed significant differences in task goal orientation, ego goal orientation and distress levels across profiles, but no differences in resilience. In particular, athletes with higher task goal orientation were less likely to belong to the Moderate or Relatively High Burnout profile. Higher ego goal orientation was associated with a lower likelihood of being in the Relatively High Burnout profile compared to the Moderate one. In contrast, greater distress was linked to an increased likelihood of belonging to the Moderate or Relatively High Burnout profiles. These findings suggest that athletes with lower task and ego goal orientations and higher distress symptoms might be more susceptible to higher burnout perceptions. Coaches and sport psychologists should support athletes in developing balanced goal profiles while fostering a supportive sport environment that mitigates distress.