Adaptation and Initial Validation of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire-Self with Spanish Physical Education Pre-Service Teachers.

Building upon Self-Determination Theory, the objective of this research was to gather validity and reliability evidence on the use of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire (IBQ-Self) in the Spanish physical education (PE) teacher training context. Participants were 419 pre-service PE teachers (48.45% women; Mage = 26.97; SD = 6.49) from eight public universities; all were enrolled in the Professional Master's program in Education. We found psychometric support for a 24-item six-factor correlated model of the IBQ-Self that was invariant across gender. There was also evidence for discriminant validity and reliability of this instrument. Criterion validity was provided by positive relationships found between need satisfaction and need-supportive behaviors, and between need frustration and need-thwarting behaviors. Overall, the IBQ-Self is a valid and reliable measure of Spanish pre-service PE teachers' perceptions of their own need-supportive and need-thwarting behaviors.

Detrimental Effects of Disempowering Climates on Teaching Intention in (Physical Education) Initial Teacher Education.

Previous research has looked at the positive consequences generated by teacher-generated climates on the motivational experiences of pre-service teachers. However, there is scant research focusing on the adverse motivational consequences that affect the perceptions of future teachers during the training process. The objective of this study was to explore the dark side of Duda's multidimensional conceptualization, its influence on academic engagement, and the intention of pre-service teachers to be educators. A total of 1,410 university students in initial teacher training (including physical education pre-service teachers) (59.6% women; 40.3% men; 0.1% other; Mage = 23.85; SD = 5.13) participated. The following scales were used: disempowering motivational climate, frustration of basic psychological needs, academic motivation, academic engagement, and the intention to choose teaching. The results of the structural equation model with latent variables show the positive prediction of the disempowering climate on the dark side and its negative influence on the intention to be a teacher. Controlled motivation preceded by academic engagement significantly mediates the relationship between a disempowering climate and the intention to be a teacher, increasing the total effect on the latter variable. Therefore, this research highlights for both teachers and researchers the impact of a disempowering motivational style, as well as its influence on the dark side as a negative promoter in trainee teachers regarding their intention to become teachers.

Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire in Sport: Psychometric Analysis With Romanian Professional Athletes.

Building upon self-determination theory, our objective in this research was to adapt and analyze psychometrically the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire (IBQ) in sport. Our participants were 642 professional athletes (55.14% men, Mage = 22.81) who completed an online survey measuring their perception of coaching behaviors, need satisfaction, need frustration, and motivation. The results showed a good fit for the 24-item IBQ with a six-factor correlated model (χ2/df = 4.178; CFI = .925; TLI = .912; SRMR = .048; RMSEA = .070), and we obtained evidence supporting its convergent and discriminant validity. The analyses also underpinned measurement invariance across gender, age, and sport, and confirmed good reliability. Criterion validity was met by positive associations of autonomy-supportive, competence-supportive, and relatedness-supportive behaviors with need satisfaction and autonomous motivation; and of autonomy-thwarting, competence-thwarting and relatedness-thwarting behaviors with need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. The adapted IBQ can be applied to the assessment of professional Romanian athletes' perceptions of need-supportive and need-thwarting coaching behaviors.

Teaching style and academic engagement in pre-service teachers during the COVID-19 lockdown: Mediation of motivational climate.

COVID-19 and the resulting confinement has had a great impact on the educational environment. Although research in initial teacher education has focused on studying the factors that lead to increased academic engagement, there is no evidence that examines the role of teacher interpersonal style and motivational classroom in a virtual learning context. The aim of this research was to analyze the mediating role of motivational climate between teacher interpersonal style (i.e., autonomy support and controlling style) and academic engagement climate in pre-service teachers in a resilient context. The research design was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and non-randomized. A total of 1,410 university students (pre-service teachers) participated (M age = 23.85; SD = 5.13) (59.6% female; 40.3% male; 0.1% other). The scales of interpersonal teaching style, classroom motivational climate, academic commitment, and resilience were used, and a structural equation analysis with latent variables was carried out controlling resilience and gender. The results of the structural equation model show the importance of student perception of teacher autonomy support on academic engagement of the pre-service teachers, as well as the mediation of the mastery climate between autonomy support and academic engagement. For this reason, in order to increase academic engagement in pre-service teachers, it is recommended the use of motivating styles and instructional strategies focused on supporting the decision-making process, initiative, and significant learning.

Smartphone applications for physical activity promotion from physical education.

Smartphone applications (apps) are thought to be an adequate instructional strategy not only to improve the quality of the teaching in physical education (PE), but also to effectively promote leisure-time physical activity (PA) of adolescent students in this context. Although the use of smartphone apps has been generalized in PE, little is known about the curricular approach of smartphone apps to be implemented by teacher to teach specific curricular contents in PE lessons. Therefore, the aim of this research was threefold: a) to conduct a systematic search for smartphone apps focused on PA and sport; b) to assess the features, content and quality of every included smartphone app; and c) to analyze the relationships between every selected app and the secondary PE curriculum. Systematic searches were completed on Google Play Store from January 2021 to March 2021. Apps were included when they met: main goal focused on PA and sport; permitted use by underage; they are free; user scores of at least 4. The app selection process was carried out by several reviewers and concordance measures were estimated. Additionally, an app quality assessment was independently conducted by three reviewers. A total of 18 apps focused on PA were included. Particularly, eight apps were suitable for fitness, health and quality of life curricular content; two for sports content; four for body expression content; and four apps for outdoor PA content. The mean quality score was 4.00. Apps could be helpful for teachers to implement the secondary PE curriculum and effectively promote PA among adolescent students.

Analyzing the relationship between self-efficacy and impulsivity in amateur soccer referees.

Soccer referees (SRs) are exposed to stressful situations during the competition that can affect decision-making, could be affected by impulsivity during the competition and therefore, require optimal psychological skills. The objective of this study was to ascertain and analyze the relationship between levels of impulsivity and self-efficacy of amateur SRs in the senior category. A total of 21 Spanish SRs participated in this study (age 23.57 ± 2.40 years and 7.81 ± 2.58 seasons of experience). Self-efficacy data were collected with the REFS questionnaire between 48 and 72 h before the competition. The impulsivity data were collected using the UPPS-P questionnaire 60 min before the start the competition. The results indicate that SRs with higher self-efficacy have lower levels of impulsivity, specifically in the dimensions of negative urgency (p < 0.01), positive urgency (p < 0.05), lack of premeditation (p < 0.001), and lack of perseverance (p < 0.001), as well as lower global impulsivity (p < 0.01). However, the SRs with the highest self-efficacy also obtained higher levels in the sensation seeking dimension (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the main finding of this study showed that self-efficacy is influenced by SR impulsivity prior to competition. These novel facts allow us to discover aspects related to decision-making in refereeing that can be trained to reach optimal levels.

Psychometric Assessment of the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale with Professional Romanian Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Although athletes' experiences of autonomy, competence, and relatedness play in key role in their motivation, performance-related outcomes, and wellness, there is no evidence to date on measures of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the Romanian sport context. Building upon self-determination theory, the objective of this research was to adapt the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale and analyze its psychometric properties in the Romanian sport context. METHODS: The participants were 642 professional athletes (354 males and 288 females; Mage = 22.81, SD = 5.78) who competed at the international and/or national level. RESULTS: The results from confirmatory factor analyses psychometrically supported a six-factor correlated model, which was invariant across gender, age, and sport. Convergent validity was met by average variance extracted values between 0.60 and 0.74. Discriminant validity was underpinned by values from -0.72 to 0.72 for a heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations among the six factors. Reliability was endorsed by Cronbach's alpha scores between 0.75 and 0.89, and between 0.76 and 0.89 for Raykov's composite reliability coefficient. Criterion validity was supported by positive relationships of autonomy, competence, and relatedness satisfaction to autonomous motivation, and positive associations of autonomy, competence, and relatedness frustration with controlled motivation and amotivation. CONCLUSIONS: The Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale is shown to be a valid and reliable measure of need satisfaction and frustration in professional Romanian athletes.

Validity and reliability evidence for the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire with Romanian professional athletes.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance attributed to athletes' motivation in sports performance and well-being; no measures of motivation toward sport were found in the Romanian sport context. OBJECTIVE: Grounded in self-determination theory, this research aimed to adapt and to gather validity and reliability evidence supporting the use of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) in the Romanian sport domain. METHOD: The participants were 596 Romanian professional athletes (age: M = 22.91, SD = 5.84; sports experience: M = 11.14, SD = 5.03), who 273 practiced individual sports and 323 team sports. They completed an online questionnaire survey assessing their perception of behavioral regulation, resilience and burnout in sport. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor correlated model, which was invariant across age and sport. Correlations among latent factors configured a simplex structure, underpinning the self-determination continuum. Average variance extracted values from .50 to .70 endorsed convergent validity. Scores for heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations as high as .88, as well as 95% confidence intervals of each interfactor correlation that did not include 1.00 supported discriminant validity. Values over .70 for Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega and Raykov's coefficients showed a good level of reliability for each factor. Linear regression analysis revealed that while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation and identified regulation positively predicted resilience, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation positively predicted burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The BRSQ is shown to be a valid and reliable measure of the six types of behavioral regulation in the Romanian sport context.

High School Physical Education Teachers' Perceptions of Blended Learning One Year after the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the educational landscape worldwide. One year after the disease outbreak, blended learning, which combines distance and face-to-face learning, became an alternative to fully online learning to address the demands of ensuring students' health and education. Physical education teachers faced an additional challenge, given the experiential nature of their subject, but research on teachers' perspectives is scarce. This study aims to explore high school physical education teachers' perceptions of the potential, advantages, and disadvantages of the blended learning model of instruction. An online survey was used to register the views of 174 Spanish high school physical education teachers (120 men and 54 women). The main findings revealed that physical education teachers considered that blended learning, compared with full face-to-face learning, implied a work overload, worsened social relationships, and did not help to increase students' motivation. Likewise, most teachers considered the physical activity performed by students during the blended learning period as being lower than usual. Furthermore, teachers reported that the students from lower-income families were the ones that experienced a lack of technological means the most. These results may guide both present and future policies and procedures for blended physical education. More research is needed to analyze the usefulness of blended learning in high school physical education.

Measuring Perceived Social Support in Elite Athletes: Psychometric Properties of the Romanian Version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a brief measure designed to capture individuals' perceptions of the support received from their social networks. It has been translated into several languages and adapted for various cultural contexts. The aim of this study was to evaluate psychometric properties of the Romanian version of the MSPSS, using a sample of young elite athletes. To assess its validity and reliability, 282 Romanian elite athletes (176 males, 106 females; 19 - 25 years old) completed the MSPSS together with questionnaires measuring life satisfaction, negative emotional disposition, and perceived stress. A confirmatory factor analysis underpinned a 12-item three-factor correlated model that was invariant over gender. Cronbach's alpha and Raykov's composite reliability coefficients together with average variance extracted showed adequate values for each factor. Correlational analysis displayed that three sources of social support positively correlated with life satisfaction and negative emotional disposition and negatively correlated with perceived stress. Altogether, the MSPSS is a valid and reliable short measure for Romanian elite athletes to explore perceived social support from their family, friends, or significant others.

Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure Perceived External and Internal Faces of Controlling Teaching among Students in Physical Education.

There are no validated instruments to date that have examined the students' perceptions of externally and internally controlling teaching practices in physical education (PE). Grounded in self-determination theory, the objective of this research was to provide validity and reliability evidence of the Controlling Teaching Scale for Physical Education (CTS-PE) to assess the external and internal faces of controlling teaching in PE through two sequential studies. In Study 1 (n = 241 students), an exploratory factor analysis revealed an eight-item two-factor solution (four items per factor). In Study 2 (n = 968 students), a confirmatory factor analysis supported the eight-item two-factor correlated model (i.e., externally and internally controlling teaching) that was invariant across gender. Reliability coefficients indicated an acceptable level of reliability for the two factors of the CTS-PE. A structural equation modelling showed that externally and internally controlling teaching behaviours positively predicted need frustration, and negatively need satisfaction. The current study gathered evidence to consider the CTS-PE as a valid and reliable instrument to assess students' perceptions of PE teachers' externally and internally controlling teaching behaviours. The CTS-PE provides PE teachers with deeper insights into the negative psychological experiences associated with externally and internally controlling teaching behaviours in PE.

Validity and Reliability of the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire in Physical Education With Spanish Secondary School Students.

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the objective of this study was to adapt the Interpersonal Behaviors Questionnaire (IBQ) to the Spanish physical education (PE) context and to examine its psychometric properties using a sample of Spanish secondary school students. The participants were 478 secondary school students (220 boys and 258 girls; Mage = 14.56, SDage = 1.06) who received two 60-minute compulsory PE classes per week. A confirmatory factor analysis psychometrically underpinned a 24-item six-factor correlated model (i.e. autonomy, competence and relatedness supportive and autonomy, competence and relatedness thwarting behaviors) that was invariant across gender and age. A reliability examination found appropriate levels of internal consistency and temporal stability for the instrument's six factors. A partial correlation analysis showed that while the three types of need-supportive behaviors from PE teachers were positively correlated with need satisfaction and autonomous motivation; the three types of need-thwarting behaviors from PE teachers were positively correlated with need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. Thus, this study showed that the Spanish version of the IBQ is valid and reliable for assessing PE students' perceptions of the six specific types of interpersonal behavior that may be adopted by PE teachers.

Sport Education and Sportsmanship Orientations: An Intervention in High School Students.

One of the main goals for physical education is to develop the students' moral and ethical domain, where sportsmanship promotion is considered a key curricular component to tackle the achievement of this goal. This research aims to examine the influence of sport education on sportsmanship orientations in high school students. The participants were 148 (52.70% female; Mage = 17.04, SDage = 0.99) high school students who were randomized into an experimental group (n = 74), which received 16 basketball lessons under sport education conditions, and a control group (n = 74), which received 16 basketball lessons following a traditional teaching approach. Pre-intervention and post-intervention measures on sportsmanship orientations were collected in both groups. A 2 (time: pre-test and post-test) x 2 (group: Sport Education and Traditional Teaching) multivariate analysis of variance test was performed on the five sportsmanship orientations. The results showed, for time x group interactions, the absence of significant multivariate effects in the level of the five sportsmanship orientations among both groups at pre-test (Pillai's trace = 0.06, p = 0.145). At post-test, significant multivariate effects were found in the level of each sportsmanship orientation between both groups in favor of the Sport Education group (Pillai's trace = 0.38, p < 0.001). Furthermore, regarding within-group pre-test to post-test differences, while there were nonsignificant multivariate effects (Pillai's trace = 0.03, p = 0.469) for the Traditional Teaching group; significant multivariate effects (Pillai's trace = 0.43, p < 0.001) were found for the Sport Education group, showing an increase in the level of respect for social conventions, respect for rules and referees, and full commitment and respect for opponents. There were also nonsignificant effects across gender (inter-group analysis: Pillai's trace = 0.08, p = 0.068; time x gender interaction: Pillai's trace = 0.03, p = 0.497) and after-school sports (inter-group analysis: Pillai's trace = 0.02, p = 0.776; time x after-school interaction: Pillai's trace = 0.01, p = 0.981). In conclusion, sport education is an effective pedagogical model to be taken into consideration by physical education teachers in order to optimally promote the high school student's moral and ethical education via the development of sportsmanship orientations in the context of school physical education.

Examining Maladaptive Functioning in Physical Education: A Psychometric Analysis of the Psychological Need Thwarting Scale Among Spanish Secondary Students.

This research aimed to adapt the Psychological Need Thwarting Scale for use in the Spanish physical education (PE) context and to examine its psychometric properties with secondary school students. Participants were 459 secondary school PE students (206 boys and 253 girls, Mage = 15.41, SDage = 1.05). A confirmatory factor analysis supported an 11-item three-factor correlated model that remained invariant across gender and age. Internal consistency analysis showed adequate values for autonomy (α = .79, ρ = .80, average variance extracted [AVE] = .50), competence (α = .85, ρ = .86, AVE = .61), and relatedness (α = .86, ρ = .86, AVE = .68) need frustration. Temporal stability analysis displayed appropriate values for autonomy (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = .81), competence (ICC = .89), and relatedness (ICC = .78) need frustration. Structural equation modeling showed that, while psychological need satisfaction positively predicted autonomous motivation (ß = .72, p < .001), psychological need frustration positively predicted controlled motivation (ß = .43, p < .001) and amotivation (ß = .48, p < .001). The adapted Psychological Need Thwarting Scale was shown to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing psychological need frustration in Spanish secondary school students.

Exercise motivational regulations and exercise addiction: The mediating role of passion.

Background and aims The study explored the mediating role of forms of passion in the relationship between motivational regulations in exercise and exercise addiction (EA). Methods A total of 485 university students (368 males and 117 females; Mage = 20.43, SD = 3.21) completed a questionnaire measuring the frequency and intensity of exercise, motivational regulations in exercise, passion for exercise, and EA. Controlling the effects of age, frequency, and intensity of practice, the relationships between the study variables were examined though a path analysis. Results Both self-determined and non-self-determined forms of motivation showed positive association with EA. The forms of motivation with greatest predictive power for EA were introjected and integrated regulations. Both forms of motivation had positive direct and indirect effects through obsessive passion (OP) on EA; however, integrated regulation also showed negative indirect effects through harmonious passion on EA. Conclusions Both forms of passion and, especially, OP, seem to affect how motivational regulations are associated with EA. These findings clarify the association found in previous studies between self-determined forms of motivation and EA.

Propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Cuestionario de Contenido de Metas en el Ejercicio / Psychometric properties of the spanish version of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la versión española del Goal Content Exercise Questionnaire. Un total de 398 estudiantes universitarios (302 hombres y 96 mujeres) participaron en este estudio cumplimentando diferentes instrumentos que evaluaban la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas, las regulaciones motivacionales y los contenidos de metas en el contexto del ejercicio. Los resultados apoyaron tanto un modelo de cinco factores correlacionados (afiliación social, gestión de la salud, desarrollo de habilidad, imagen, y reconocimiento social) como un modelo con dos factores de orden superior denominados metas intrínsecas y metas extrínsecas. La estructura de ambos modelos fue invariante en función del género. Se obtuvieron adecuados valores de consistencia interna y estabilidad temporal. Los contenidos de metas intrínsecos estuvieron asociados positivamente con la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas y con una regulación autónoma de la conducta del ejercicio, mientras que los contenidos de metas extrínsecas estuvieron asociados positivamente con una regulación controladora de esta conducta. Los resultados de este estudio proporcionan apoyo para el uso del Goal Content Exercise Questionnaire en el contexto español de cara a medir las metas intrínsecas y extrínsecas en el ejercicio en línea con los postulados de la teoría de la autodeterminación.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire. A total of 398 university students (302 males and 96 females) par ticipated in this study, and completed questionnaires that measured the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, motivational regulations, and goal content for exercise. The results suppor ted the first-order five-factor model (social affiliation, health management, skill development, image and social recognition), as well as the higher order two-factor model, called intrinsic and extrinsic goals, respectively. The structure of both models did not change with gender. Ade quate levels were obtained for internal consistency and temporal stability. Intrinsic goals were positively associated with satisfaction of basic psychological needs and autonomous regulation in exercise, while extrinsic goals were positively associated with controlling regulation. The fin dings of this study provided support to use Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire in Spanish context in order to measure intrinsic and extrinsic exercise goals, in line with the postulates of self-determination theory.

Influence of Goal Contents on Exercise Addiction: Analysing the Mediating Effect of Passion for Exercise.

Based on the self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan, 1985, 2000), the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise goal contents on exercise addiction, taking into account the mediating effects of passion for exercise. A total of 384 university students (284 men and 100 women; Mage = 20.31, SD = 3.10) completed a questionnaire that measured exercise frequency and intensity, exercise goal contents (e.g. intrinsic: social affiliation, health management, skill development; extrinsic: image and social recognition), passion for exercise (e.g. harmonious and obsessive), and exercise addiction. After controlling the exercise frequency and intensity effects, results showed that goal contents did not directly predict exercise addiction. However, mediation analysis showed that goal contents predicted addiction through passion for exercise. These results support a motivational sequence in which extrinsic versus intrinsic goals influence exercise addiction because such goals are positively associated with obsessive passion for exercise and negatively associated with harmonious passion.

Academic motivation scale revised. Inclusion of integrated regulation to measure motivation in initial teacher education / Revisión de la escala de motivación educativa. Inclusión de la regulación integrada para medir la motivación en la formación inicial del profesorado

The objective of this study was to incorporate the integrated regulation assessment into the Academic Motivation Scale within the Spanish initial teacher education context. There were 496 student participants (233 men and 263 women; Mage = 25.70, SD = 4.23) from the Masters in Teaching for Compulsory Secondary Education, Upper Secondary School Education and Professional Education, and Language Teaching. The confirmatory factor analysis showed acceptable fit-indexes for the eight-factor correlated structure and an invariant factor structure across genders. Internal consistency and temporal stability were satisfactory for each of the eight factors. The linear regression analysis indicated that integrated regulation was the strongest predictor of intention to become a teacher. This new instrument may contribute to a deeper understanding of the motivational processes involved in the initial teacher education context (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue incorporar la medida de la regulación integrada en la Échelle de Motivation en Éducation en el contexto español de la formación inicial del profesorado. Participaron 496 profesores en formación inicial (233 hombres and 263 mujeres; Medad = 25.70, DT = 4.23) del master en formación del profesorado en educación secundaria y bachillerato, formación profesional y enseñanza de idiomas. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró aceptables índices de ajuste para la estructura de 8 factores, la cual permaneció invariante respecto al género. La consistencia interna y la estabilidad temporal fueron satisfactorias para cada uno de los 8 factores. El análisis de regresión lineal indicó que la regulación integrada fue el mayor predictor sobre la intención de convertirse en docente. El nuevo instrumento puede contribuir a una comprensión más profunda de los procesos motivacionales involucrados en la formación inicial del profesorado (AU)

Social Physique Anxiety, Mental Health, and Exercise: Analyzing the Role of Basic Psychological Needs and Psychological Inflexibility.

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of integrating basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) and relational frames theory (RFT) in order to explain the effects of social physique anxiety (SPA) - in the context of exercise - on exercisers' mental health. A total of 296 recreational cyclists and triathletes (100% males) aged 18 to 60 years old (M age = 35.65, SD = 9.49) completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing the target variables. Two models of structural equations with multiple mediators were tested using 5000 bootstrap samples. While the BPNT-based model explained 20% of variance in satisfaction with life (SWL) and 25% of variance in mental health (MH), the model that also incorporated RFT explained 43% of variance in both of those variables. Results showed that SPA negatively impacted exercisers' mental health via two different mechanisms: a) through a decrease in perceived satisfaction of basic psychological needs (ß = -.05, p = .045 for SWL; ß = -.07, p = .002 for MH); b) through an increase in psychological inflexibility, generated directly by SPA (ß = -.24, p < .001 for SWL; ß = -.20, p < .001 for MH) and also mediated by basic psychological need thwarting (ß = -.09, p < .001 for SWL; ß = -.08, p = .002 for MH). Results supported integrating the two theories, elucidating the processes by which a controlling social factor like SPA can affect the potential benefits of exercise.

Social physique anxiety, mental health, and exercise: analyzing the role of basic psychological needs and psychological inflexibility

This study aimed to determine the usefulness of integrating basic psychological needs theory (BPNT) and relational frames theory (RFT) in order to explain the effects of social physique anxiety (SPA) - in the context of exercise - on exercisers’ mental health. A total of 296 recreational cyclists and triathletes (100% males) aged 18 to 60 years old (Mage = 35.65, SD = 9.49) completed a multi-section questionnaire assessing the target variables. Two models of structural equations with multiple mediators were tested using 5000 bootstrap samples. While the BPNT-based model explained 20% of variance in satisfaction with life (SWL) and 25% of variance in mental health (MH), the model that also incorporated RFT explained 43% of variance in both of those variables. Results showed that SPA negatively impacted exercisers’ mental health via two different mechanisms: a) through a decrease in perceived satisfaction of basic psychological needs (β = -.05, p = .045 for SWL; β = -.07, p = .002 for MH); b) through an increase in psychological inflexibility, generated directly by SPA (β = -.24, p < .001 for SWL; β = -.20, p < .001 for MH) and also mediated by basic psychological need thwarting (β = -.09, p < .001 for SWL; β = -.08, p = .002 for MH). Results supported integrating the two theories, elucidating the processes by which a controlling social factor like SPA can affect the potential benefits of exercise (AU)

No disponible