Psychological and Socio-Economic Predictors of Athlete Retention in Kenyan Track and Field

This study examined psychological and socio-economic predictors of athlete retention in Kenyan track and field. Anchored in Self-Determination Theory and the Social-Ecological Model, the study assessed how motivation, confidence, mental toughness, financial reward, sponsorship, and family support influence athlete retention. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected from 230 track and field athletes using a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression at the 0.05 level of significance. Correlation results showed that mental toughness had a weak but significant positive relationship with athlete retention (r = .152, p = .021), while motivation (r = -.065, p = .323) and confidence (r = -.014, p = .827) were not significant. Financial reward (r = .153, p = .020) and sponsorship (r = .195, p = .003) were significantly and positively related to athlete retention, while family support was not significant (r = .101, p = .101). Regression results showed that psychological factors did not jointly predict athlete retention, F (3, 226) = 2.204, p = .088, R² = .028, although mental toughness had a significant relative effect (β = .149, p = .024). Socio-economic factors jointly predicted athlete retention, F (3, 226) = 4.187, p = .007, R² = .053, with sponsorship emerging as the only significant relative predictor (β = .156, p = .026). The composite model was also significant, F (2, 227) = 6.717, p = .001, R² = .056. The study recommends strengthening sponsorship systems and integrating resilience-focused interventions into athlete development programmes.