Dataset Information

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

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding 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.

Methods

Cross-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.

Results

The 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.

Conclusions

The 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.

SUBMITTER: Sebire SJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3852537 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

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

Sebire Simon J SJ Jago Russell R Fox Kenneth R KR Edwards Mark J MJ Thompson Janice L JL

The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity 20130926

<h4>Background</h4>Understanding 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 previou ...[more]

PMID: 24067078

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) in school-aged children is imperative for physical and mental development. However, there has been reduced PA among children in recent years owing to environmental changes, resulting in declining physical strength and athletic ability. Although parents' and children's PA has been found to be correlated, the specific parental caregiving attitudes associated with children's actual levels of PA during school-age years remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between parental support for PA and children's levels of PA.MethodsIn 2017, a self-reported questionnaire survey was administered to 1,515 third-grade students (8-9 years old) and their caregivers in Nagoya, Aichi, a major metropolitan area in Japan. The main items surveyed included the attitudes of children and parents towards PA and the children's actual PA level. Multiple regression analysis was conducted with parental involvement related to PA as the explanatory variable and children's PA as the objective variable.ResultsIn total, 717 children with valid responses were included in the analysis. The mean age of the children was 9.08 ± 0.33 years; 366 (51.0%) were boys, and 351 (49.0%) were girls. For moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous PA, PA levels tended to be significantly higher in children whose parents provided logistic support such as enrolling their children in a sports club. However, for moderate PA and walking, PA levels tended to be significantly higher in children whose parents used community resources. Modeling and limiting sedentary activities were not associated with children's PA.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that direct parental assistance for PA such as logistic support encourages children to engage in moderate-to-vigorous PA; in addition, parental use of community resources may encourage children to engage in moderate and light PA such as walking. Conversely, indirect and negative involvement such as modeling and limiting sedentary activities were not associated with children's PA. Therefore, logistic support may need to be strengthened to encourage moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous PA, which is important for children's health.

Dataset Information

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

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

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

Similar Datasets

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