A test of self‐determination theory in school physical education

Martyn Standage · Joan L. Duda · Nikos Ntoumanis

1,066 citations0/0 files storedBritish Journal of Educational Psychology

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Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports Physical Education and Pedagogy Physical education and sports games research

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Contemporary research conducted in the context of school physical education (PE) has increasingly embraced various tenets of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985, 1991). Despite this increase in research attention, some postulates of the framework remain unexplored (e.g. impact of a need-supportive climate). As such, the present study sought to provide a more comprehensive test of self-determination theory. The present work also examined Deci and Ryan's claim that the motivational sequence embraced by their framework is invariant across gender. AIMS: (i) To examine a model of motivation based on the tenets of self-determination theory, and (ii) explore the invariance of the model across gender. SAMPLE: Participants were 950 British secondary school students (443 male, 490 female, 17 gender not specified) METHOD: Participants completed a questionnaire that included measures of need support, need satisfaction, motivation, positive and negative affect, task challenge, and concentration. RESULTS: Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis revealed that students who perceived a need-supporting environment experienced greater levels of need satisfaction. Need satisfaction predicted intrinsic motivation, which, in turn, linked to adaptive PE-related outcomes. In contrast, need satisfaction negatively predicted amotivation, which, in turn, was positively predictive of feelings of unhappiness. Multisample SEM invariance testing revealed the model to be largely invariant for male and female students. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study provide support for self-determination theory and corroborate the application of the framework to the context of school PE. Further, we largely found support for the invariance of the motivational processes embraced by self-determination theory across gender.

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References

1999Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: Conventional criteria versus new alternatives 2000Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.1951Coefficient Alpha and the Internal Structure of Tests 2000The "What" and "Why" of Goal Pursuits: Human Needs and the Self-Determination of Behavior 1985Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior 2000Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations: Classic Definitions and New Directions 1988Intrinsic Motivation and Self-Determination in Human Behavior 1989EQS : structural equations program manual

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2021Applying the self-determination theory (SDT) to explain student engagement in online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic 2010Motivation in online learning: Testing a model of self-determination theory 2019Self-determination theory applied to physical education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.2011Psychological Need Thwarting in the Sport Context: Assessing the Darker Side of Athletic Experience 2005

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