Prediction of Adolescent Physical Self-Concept through Autonomous Motivation and Basic Psychological Needs in Spanish Physical Education Students

Jaime Léon,Juan L. Núñez,Luis Conte,Juan Antonio Moreno-Murcia,Elisa Huescar,Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela

doi:10.3390/su132111759

Abstract

Framed within the theoretical support of the Self-determination Theory (SDT) this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, the self-determined motivation towards physical education, and the physical self-concept of Spanish teenagers. For this, 618 students, aged from 10 to 14 years-old (M = 11.62, SD = 0.94), participated in physical education classes. The Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction Scale (PNSE), the dimensions of intrinsic motivation and identified motivation of the Perceived Locus of Causality Scale in physical education classes (PLOC), and the Physical Self-Concept Questionnaire (PSPP) were administered. A structural equation model and test confirmatory factor analysis were used. The results indicate a positive relationship between the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs of the students and the self-determined motivation towards physical education, with this being positively associated with the physical self-concept of the students. In addition, a prediction model (χ2 = 763.23; p < 0.001; χ2/d.f. = 3.00; IFI = 0.91; CFI = 0.91; TLI = 0.90; RMSEA = 0.05) showed the satisfaction of basic psychological needs positively predicted their self-determined motivation towards physical education, and this, in turn, a greater physical self-concept of the students. The results are discussed centered on the importance of the physical education teacher contemplating experiences that work on the promotion of personal identity and student self-esteem through the improvement of quality motivation. Consequently, the greater importance of the physical self-concept of the students was explained thanks to more autonomous (intrinsic and identified regulation) motivation and higher levels of basic psychological needs (especially autonomy and competence).

Highlights

Adolescence is a crucial and essential phase in the life development of individuals, due to its impact on the development of personality and regarding the first acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits that will constitute the basis for adulthood [1]
The research hypothesis is that satisfaction of the basic psychological needs would act as a trigger and would predict a higher self-determined motivation towards physical education, which would lead to adaptive behaviors such as a greater physical self-concept of the students
The great importance of physical self-concept of the students was explained thanks to more autonomous motivation and higher levels of basic psychological needs

Summary

Introduction

Adolescence is a crucial and essential phase in the life development of individuals, due to its impact on the development of personality and regarding the first acquisition of healthy lifestyle habits that will constitute the basis for adulthood [1] In this sense, physical education contributes to the three dimensions of sustainable development showing more and more evidence and being necessary to generate educational strategies to improve levels of practice [2]. While self-concept refers to the set of traits that a person attributes to himself/herself, being a cognitive aspect or representation, self-esteem would be the evaluative-affective part [6] Both aspects are influenced by the perception and social and physical experiences where the person develops, being fundamental psychosocial factors in the construction of the identity of the young person. Fox and Corbin [8]

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Discussion

Conclusion