Testing a self-determination theory model of children’s physical activity motivation: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUnderstanding children’s physical activity motivation, its antecedents and associations with behavior is important and can be advanced by using self-determination theory. However, research among youth is largely restricted to adolescents and studies of motivation within certain contexts (e.g., physical education). There are no measures of self-determination theory constructs (physical activity motivation or psychological need satisfaction) for use among children and no previous studies have tested a self-determination theory-based model of children’s physical activity motivation. The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of scores derived from scales adapted to measure self-determination theory constructs among children and test a motivational model predicting accelerometer-derived physical activity.MethodsCross-sectional data from 462 children aged 7 to 11 years from 20 primary schools in Bristol, UK were analysed. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the construct validity of adapted behavioral regulation and psychological need satisfaction scales. Structural equation modelling was used to test cross-sectional associations between psychological need satisfaction, motivation types and physical activity assessed by accelerometer.ResultsThe construct validity and reliability of the motivation and psychological need satisfaction measures were supported. Structural equation modelling provided evidence for a motivational model in which psychological need satisfaction was positively associated with intrinsic and identified motivation types and intrinsic motivation was positively associated with children’s minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.ConclusionsThe study provides evidence for the psychometric properties of measures of motivation aligned with self-determination theory among children. Children’s motivation that is based on enjoyment and inherent satisfaction of physical activity is associated with their objectively-assessed physical activity and such motivation is positively associated with perceptions of psychological need satisfaction. These psychological factors represent potential malleable targets for interventions to increase children’s physical activity.

Configurations of actual and perceived motor competence among children: Associations with motivation for sports and global self-worth

“…Children's autonomous motivation for sports was measured with the Dutch version of an adapted form of the Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ, Markland & Tobin, 2004;Sebire, Jago, Fox, Edwards, & Thompson, 2013). The adapted BREQ was validated in previous research (Sebire et al, 2013) and compared to the original BREQ, it contains fewer items to reduce participant burden and to keep the main focus on measuring the quality of children's motivation.…”

“…The adapted BREQ was validated in previous research (Sebire et al, 2013) and compared to the original BREQ, it contains fewer items to reduce participant burden and to keep the main focus on measuring the quality of children's motivation. Six items starting with the stem "I participate in sports because…" were used to measure autonomous motivation ( = 0.84; e.g., "I participate in sports because I enjoy participating in sports.").…”

Using self-determination theory to understand motivation for walking: Instrument development and model testing using Bayesian structural equation modelling

“…SDT offers a comprehensive explanatory framework to study antecedents and outcomes of motivation to be physically active (Ng et al, 2012), incorporating many of the variables that have been identified as being relevant to physical activity (Sebire, Jago, Fox, Edwards, & Thompson, 2013).…”

Bristol Girls Dance Project: a cluster randomised controlled trial of an after-school dance programme to increase physical activity among 11- to 12-year-old girls

“…The underlying principles of SDT are that self-determined (autonomous) motivation is behaviourally and psychologically adaptive and that it develops to the extent that individuals perceive a sense of ownership or autonomy over their PA, feel able and competent and are supported in their PA by meaningful social relationships. 45,47 This hypothesis is supported by empirical research in the PA/exercise domain among children, 48 adolescents 49 and dancers. 50 Six motivation types are proposed in SDT, varying in their degree of self-determination or autonomy.…”