Motivational Processes of University Students in Optional Physical Education Classes to Predict Physical Activity Intentions and Enjoyment: A Self-Determination Theory Approach (abstract only)  

Oleh:

Chu, Tsz Lun ; Cheung, Hoi Yan

Jenis: Article from Proceeding
Dalam koleksi: The International Symposium on Social Sciences (TISSS) and Hong Kong International Conference on Education, Psychology and Society (HKICEPS) at Hongkong, December 2013, page 668-669.
Topik: self-determined motivation; physical education; university students; competence; enjoyment
Fulltext: Hong Kong-Conference 108.pdf (213.89KB)

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Background: It is widely agreed that the physical activity levels of college-age young people are currently below the levels required to produce health benefits. A report published by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups revealed that only 58% of young people in Hong Kong exercised regularly. Moreover, only 6.4% to 8.6% of Hong Kong university students took part in physical activity by following a planned exercise program. Since positive experiences in physical education (PE) could influence students to adopt physically active adult lifestyles which can improve public health, increasing physical activity in the university student population becomes a priority for continuation of physical activity in adulthood. In Hong Kong, most universities provide optional PE courses but reported very low student enrollments. Therefore, research on this population is required to provide a larger-scale empirical analysis of students' motivation to participate in exercise with impacts on enjoyment and intention based on the self-determination theory (SDT) for physical activity promotion. SDT focuses on the degree to which an individual’s behavior is self-determined based on the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs. Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the motivational processes in optional PE in the context of university students in Hong Kong. The influence of perceived motivational climates on self-determination in PE was examined through three mediators of psychological needs satisfaction: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. How motivational types may predict students’ enjoyment and intention to be physically active in the sports learned in their leisure time was also examined. Since there are males tended to report higher physical activity levels in Hong Kong, gender differences in the motivational processes were also investigated. Method: Participants were 243 students who studied at the City University of Hong Kong and participated in optional PE courses in different sports. Given instructions and consent forms, each participant completed a multi-section survey after one of the classes. Regarding the motivational processes, they were asked first, to report on perceived autonomy support, cooperative learning and self-referenced improvement (motivational climates); second, on perceived competence, autonomy and relatedness (psychological needs satisfaction); third, on intrinsic motivation, identified regulation, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation (motivational types); and finally, on enjoyment and intention to play the learned sport in their leisure time (outcomes). Findings: Identified motivation was the most important positive predictor of both enjoyment and intention, while amotivation negatively predicted enjoyment. Among all three psychological needs, perceived competence was the most important mediator. The model was invariant across gender and sport types. Also, the future intention of specific sport participation was positively associated with self-determined (intrinsic and identified) motivation and competence. The motivational model is consistent with previous studies with demonstration of mediation effects, underlining the significance of perceived competence and identified motivation in optional PE. Therefore, the application of appropriate motivational climates in the university PE curriculum will bring benefits in enhancing positive experiences of students and promoting a healthier lifestyle including regular exercise.

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