Abstract
While motivation for physical activity (PA) and PA participation have been linked, research on the relationship between motivation for PA and mental health outcomes is scant, with studies involving children largely underrepresented. Grounded in self-determination theory, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether autonomous motivation versus external motivation (a form of controlled motivation) for PA is associated with fewer emotional and behavioural difficulties and higher levels of PA in children. A sample of 87 children (aged 8–12 years) were recruited from five primary schools in Victoria, Australia. An adapted version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ) was used to measure motivation for PA and structured parent-report questions were used to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels. Parents also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure children’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. Children’s autonomous motivation was associated with fewer emotional and behavioural difficulties (β = −0.25, p = 0.038) and higher levels of MVPA (β = 0.24, p = 0.014). These results indicate autonomous motivation is associated with improved mental health outcomes and higher levels of PA in children. Thus, PA interventions that promote autonomous motivation may enhance children’s mental health compared to interventions that promote mainly controlled forms of motivation.
Highlights
It is estimated that 14% of Australian children and adolescents have experienced a mental health disorder such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD; characterised by inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive behaviours [1]), anxiety or depression in the last 12 months [4].The consequences of mental health difficulties can be profound, impacting quality of life, education, employment, relationships and increasing the risk of suicide [5]
The parent-reported data indicated that most children (56.32%) met the World Health Organization’s (WHO) physical activity (PA) guidelines of at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per day (>419 min per week) [43]
The present study offers a preliminary investigation into the relationship between motivation for PA and mental health in children aged 8–12 years
Summary
It is estimated that 14% of Australian children and adolescents have experienced a mental health disorder such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD; characterised by inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive behaviours [1]), anxiety (characterised by excessive worry or concern [2]) or depression (characterised by sadness, irritability, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness [3]) in the last 12 months [4].The consequences of mental health difficulties can be profound, impacting quality of life, education, employment, relationships and increasing the risk of suicide [5]. Public Health 2020, 17, 5584; doi:10.3390/ijerph17155584 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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