Lifestyles and satisfaction with life of veteran athletes: a prospective test based on the theory of self-determination (Estilos de vida y satisfacción con la vida de los atletas veteranos: una prueba prospectiva basada en la teoría de la auto determinac

Abstract. The practice of sports by veteran athletes is a reality with an expansion perspective. The objective was to determine predictive variables of healthy lifestyles and satisfaction with life in veteran athletes, according to the Self-determination Theory (SDT). A structural equation model and a mediation model has developed. The number of participants were 680 Portuguese veteran athletes, aged between 30 and 90 years old (M=43.78 DT=8.61). The Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale, the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire, the Healthy Lifestyles Questionnaire and the Life Satisfaction Scale were used. This model has shown the following adjustments indices: χ2 = 729.116, p < .001, χ2/df = 4.41, CFI = .92; IFI = .92; TLI = .91; GFI = .91; RMSEA = .068; SRMR = .064. As a conclusion, in veteran athletes, the perception of satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, leads to autonomously motivated behaviours, promoting better eating and resting habits, as well as high satisfaction with life, and a lower consumption of tobacco. Autonomous motivation has not proved to be a significant mediating variable between the basic psychological need for autonomy, lifestyles and satisfaction with life. Resumen. La práctica de deportes por deportistas veteranos es una realidad evidente y con perspectivas de expansión. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las variables predictivas para estilos de vida saludables y satisfacción con la vida en deportistas veteranos, desde la Teoría de la Autodeterminación. Se desarolló un modelo de ecuación estructural y un modelo de mediación. Participaron 680 deportistas veteranos portugueses, entre los 30 y 90 años (M=43.78 DT=8.61). Se utilizó la Escala de Necesidades Psicologicas Básicas, el Cuestionario de Regulación Comportamental en el Deporte, el Cuestionário de Estilos de Vida Saludables y la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida. El modelo demostró los siguientes índices: χ2 = 729.116, p < .001, χ2/df = 4.41, CFI = .92; IFI = .92; TLI = .91; GFI = .91; RMSEA = .068; SRMR = .064. Como conclusiones, em los deportistas veteranos, la percepción de satisfacción de la necesidad psicológica básica de autonomía conduce a comportamientos motivados de manera autónoma, promoviendo estos, mejores hábitos de alimentación y descanso, alta satisfacción con la vida y menos consumo de tabaco. La motivación autónoma no demostró ser una variable mediadora significativa entre la necesidad psicológica básica de autonomía y estilos de vida y satisfacción con la vida.

Download Full-text

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

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su132111759 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (21) ◽

pp. 11759

Author(s):

Alfonso Valero-Valenzuela ◽

Elisa Huescar ◽

Juan L. Núñez ◽

Luis Conte ◽

Jaime Léon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Education ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Autonomous Motivation ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Equation Model ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

The Self ◽

Self Concept ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Theoretical Support

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).

Download Full-text

Bem-estar subjetivo em atletas veteranos: um teste prospectivo baseado na teoria da autodeterminação

Cuadernos de Psicología del Deporte ◽

10.6018/cpd.467601 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

pp. 99-109

Author(s):

Marco Batista ◽

Jorge Santos ◽

Samuel Honório ◽

Helena Mesquita ◽

João Serrano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Autonomous Motivation ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Behavioral Regulation ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Psychological Need

La práctica deportiva por deportistas veteranos es una realidad evidente y con perspectivas de expansión. El objetivo fue determinar variables predictivas de bienestar subjetivo en deportistas veteranos, teniendo en cuenta la teoría de la autodeterminación. Se elaboró un modelo de ecuación estructural y un modelo de mediación. Participaron 840 deportistas veteranos portugueses, de entre 30 y 76 años (M = 42.54 DT = 7.28). Se utilizó la Escala de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas en el Ejercicio (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão y Vlachopoulos, 2012), el Cuestionario de Regulación Conductual en el Deporte (Monteiro, Moutão y Cid, 2018), la Escala de Afectos Positivos y Negativos (Galinha y Pais -Ribeiro, 2005) y la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (Neto, 1993). El modelo mostró los siguientes índices de ajuste: χ2 = 674,554, p <.001, χ2 / fd = 4.08, CFI = .94; IFI = .94; TLI = .92; GFI = 0,92; RMSEA = .062; SRMR = .061. En los deportistas veteranos, la percepción de satisfacción de la necesidad psicológica básica de autonomía conduce a conductas de motivación autónoma, promoviendo estas, mayores niveles de bienestar subjetivo. La motivación autónoma resultó ser una variable mediadora significativa entre la necesidad psicológica básica de autonomía y la producción de afectos positivos. También hubo efectos indirectos de la variable mediadora sobre las variables de satisfacción con la vida y afectos negativos, así como efectos directos y totales de la variable independiente y las variables de consecuencia bajo análisis. The practice of sports by veteran athletes is an evident reality and with prospects for expansion. The objective was to determine predictive variables of subjective well-being in veteran athletes, taking into account the theory of self-determination. A structural equation model and a mediation model were developed. In this study participated 840 Portuguese veteran athletes, between the ages of 30 and 76 (M = 42.54 DT = 7.28). The Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão e Vlachopoulos, 2012), the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (Monteiro, Moutão e Cid, 2018), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Galinha e Pais-Ribeiro, 2005) and the Life Satisfaction Scale (Neto, 1993) were used. The model showed the following adjustment indices: χ2 = 674,554, p <.001, χ2 / fd = 4.08, CFI = .94; IFI = .94; TLI = .92; GFI = .92; RMSEA = .062; SRMR = .061. In the veteran athletes, the perception of satisfaction of the basic psychological need for autonomy leads to autonomously motivated behaviors, promoting these, higher levels of subjective well-being. Autonomous motivation proved to be a significant mediating variable between the basic psychological need for autonomy and the production of positive affects. There were also indirect effects of the mediating variable on the variables of satisfaction with life and negative affects, as well as direct and total effects of the independent variable and the consequence variables under analysis. A prática desportiva por atletas veteranos é uma realidade evidente e com perspetivas de expansão. Objetivou-se determinar variáveis preditivas de bem-estar subjetivo em atletas veteranos, atendendo à teoria da autodeterminação. Elaborou-se um modelo de equação estrutural e um modelo de mediação. Participaram 840 atletas veteranos portugueses, entre os 30 e os 76 anos (M=42.54 DT=7.28). Utilizou-se o Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (Moutão, Cid, Alves, Leitão e Vlachopoulos, 2012), o Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (Monteiro, Moutão e Cid, 2018), a Escala de Afetos Positivos e Negativos (Galinha e Pais-Ribeiro, 2005) e a Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (Neto, 1993). O modelo mostrou os seguintes índices de ajuste: χ2 = 674.554, p < .001, χ2/fd = 4.08, CFI = .94; IFI = .94; TLI = .92; GFI = .92; RMSEA = .062; SRMR = .061. Nos aletas veteranos, a perceção de satisfação da necessidade psicológica básica de autonomia leva a comportamentos motivados autonomamente, promovendo estes, níveis mais elevados de bem-estar subjetivo. A motivação autónoma revelou-se uma variável mediadora significativa entre a necessidade psicológica básica de autonomia e a produção de afetos positivos. Registaram-se ainda efeitos indiretos da variável mediadora sobre as variáveis de satisfação com a vida e afetos negativos, assim como, efeitos diretos e totais da variável independente e as variáveis de consequência em análise.

Download Full-text

Self-Determination and Physical Exercise Adherence in the Contexts of Fitness Academies and Personal Training

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2015-0052 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 241-249 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ingi Petitemberte Klain ◽

Dihogo Gama de Matos ◽

José Carlos Leitão ◽

Luís Cid ◽

João Moutão

Keyword(s):

Physical Exercise ◽

Autonomy Support ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Exercise Adherence ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Equation Model ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Behavioral Regulation ◽

Personal Training

AbstractThis research aimed to analyze the validity of the relations hypothesized by the theory of self-determination in predicting adherence to physical exercise in fitness academy users and subjects following personal training. A total of 588 persons from Pelotas / RS / Brazil (405 gym users and 183 subjects following personal training) completed the Portuguese version of the three questionnaires, i.e. the Perceived Autonomy Support Climate Exercise Questionnaire, Basic Psychological Needs in the Exercise Scale and Behavioral Regulation in the Exercise Questionnaire −2. The results support the factorial structure of the questionnaires used in this sample. There was a significant multivariate effect of context on self-determination for physical exercise training [Wilks’ λ = 0.934, F (10, 576.000) = 4.03, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.01]. The hypothesized structural equation model, which considered the self-determination theory, showed a good fit to the data (S-B χ2 = 234.703; p= .001; df = 52; χ2/df = 4.514; SRMS = .049; NNFI = .906; CFI = .926; RMSEA = .077; RMSEA 90% CI = .067 − .088). However, in the comparative analysis, the perception of autonomy support, relatedness and competence were significantly higher in the context of personal training, while the amotivation and external regulation were significantly higher in the context of fitness academies.

Download Full-text

Physical Activity as a Regulatory Variable between Adolescents’ Motivational Processes and Satisfaction with Life

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16152765 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (15) ◽

pp. 2765 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mikel Vaquero Solís ◽

Pedro Antonio Sánchez-Miguel ◽

Miguel Ángel Tapia Serrano ◽

Juan J. Pulido ◽

Damián Iglesias Gallego

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Autonomous Motivation ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

The Other ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Controlled Motivation ◽

The Relationship

Framed within Self-Determination Theory, the objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs, levels of motivation, physical activity, and satisfaction with life. Methods: A total of 487 students participated, comprising males (n = 262) and females (n = 225), aged between 14 and 16 years (M = 15.02; SD = 0.87), from different secondary schools. Results: A regression analysis was carried out (structural equation modeling) that revealed the existence of two theoretical lines, one positive and the other negative, where the satisfaction of basic psychological needs was positively related to autonomous motivation and physical activity, which predicted satisfaction with life. On the other hand, the frustration of basic psychological needs was positively related to controlled motivation, whereas controlled motivation (introjected regulation and extrinsic regulation) was inversely associated with physical activity and satisfaction with life. Conclusion: The results show the importance of motivational processes in physical activity, and the effects of physical activity on satisfaction with life in adolescents who spend more time engaged in physical activity.

Download Full-text

Efectos de la satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas sobre las formas de pasión por el ejercicio

Psychology Society & Education ◽

10.25115/psye.v8i3.188 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 257 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Manuel Alcaraz Ibañez ◽

Alvaro Sicilia ◽

María J. Lirola ◽

Rafael Burgueño

Keyword(s):

Structural Equation ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Equation Model ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Point Of View ◽

Self Determination ◽

Dualistic Model Of Passion ◽

Satisfaction Of Needs ◽

Estudiantes Universitarios

Basado en la teoría de la autodeterminación y en el modelo dual de pasión, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la influencia de la percepción de satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en el contexto del ejercicio físico sobre las formas armoniosa (PA) y obsesiva (PO) de la pasión por esta actividad, considerando si dicha relación podría diferir en función del género. Un total de 490 estudiantes universitarios (356 hombres y 114 mujeres) de entre 17 y 44 años (Medad= 20.49; DT= 3.38) que manifestaron realizar ejercicio físico al menos una vez por semana, completaron un cuestionario que recogía las variables de interés. Los resultados del modelo de ecuaciones estructurales mostraron que, en general, la satisfacción y la frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas predecían de forma positiva la PO, mientras que tan solo la satisfacción de las necesidades predecía la PA. No obstante, se observaron diferencias en función del género en el efecto que la frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas ejercía sobre ambas formas de pasión. En conjunto, la satisfacción y la frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas explicaron un 25% y un 44% de la varianza de la PA en hombres y mujeres, respectivamente, situándose dichos porcentajes en el 32% y el 14% en el caso de la PO. Estos resultados sugieren que, al menos en población masculina, las intervenciones destinadas a disminuir la percepción de frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas en el contexto del ejercicio podrían contribuir a disminuir una implicación obsesiva en esta conducta.Palabras clave: Teoría de la autodeterminación, modelo dual de pasión, teoría de las necesidades psicológicas básicas, pasión armoniosa, pasión obsesiva. Effects of satisfaction and thwarting of basic psychological needs on the forms of passion for exerciseABSTRACTBased on both self-determination theory and dualistic model of passion, the main purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the satisfaction and thwarting of basic psychological needs perceived in the context of exercise on the development of harmonious (HP) and obsessive (OP) forms of passion for exercise, considering additionally if such relationship could differs across gender. A total of 398 university students (256 men and 114 women), aged between 17 and44 (Mage= 20.49; SD = 3.38) and involved in exercise at least once a week, filled a questionnaire that assessed the variables of interest. The results of structural equation model showed that, in general, both satisfaction and thwarting of basic psychological needs predicted positively OP, whereas only the satisfaction of needs predicted positively HP. Furthermore, results revealed gender differences in the effect of the thwarting of needs on both forms of passion. As a whole, both satisfaction and thwarting of needs explained 25% and 44% of the variance in HP in men and women, respectively, being those percentages 32% and 14% for OP. From a practical point of view, these results suggest that, at least in males, interventions aimed at decreasing experiences of the thwarting of needs in the exercise context could contribute to diminish an obsessive commitment to this behaviour.Keywords: Self-determination theory; dualistic model of passion; basic psychological needs theory; harmonious passion; obsessive passion.

Download Full-text

Self-determined motivation and life satisfaction in Portuguese veterans athletes

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v0i32.52010 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 124-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marco Alexandre Silva Batista ◽

Ruth Jimenez Castuera ◽

Marta Leyton Roman ◽

Maria Isabel Aspano Carrón ◽

Susana Lobato Muñoz

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽

Predictive Variables ◽

Sport Practice ◽

Pearson Correlation Test

The aims of this work were to determine correlations and predictive variables, between the levels of motivation, basic psychological needs and life satisfaction of Portuguese veteran athletes. The sample consisted in 684 Portuguese veteran athletes of both genders, aged between 30 and 90 years (M = 43.78 DP = 8.61), competitors of various modalities. As instruments we used the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ), the Basic Psychological Needs Scale Exercise (BPNES), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Positives and Negatives Affections Scale (PANAS). It was applied the bivariate Pearson correlation test and multiple linear regression.The results showed that the veteran athletes present a good self-determination for the sport practice, being their welfare levels in life satisfaction related to the same self-determination, but rather dependent on the affections produced by sports. This study is presented as a contribution to understanding the role of sport in promoting wellness in veteran sports population.

Download Full-text

Predicción del compromiso en Educación Física desde la teoría de la autodeterminación: análisis de invarianza según el nivel de actividad física (Prediction of engagement in physical education through self-determination theory: Invariance across different physical activity levels)

Cultura_Ciencia_Deporte ◽

10.12800/ccd.v15i46.1599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (46) ◽

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Education ◽

Intrinsic Motivation ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Autonomous Motivation ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Behavioral Engagement ◽

Activity Levels

This study aimed to test a predictive model for behavioral engagement in physical education (PE) in the light of self-determination postulates (basic psychological needs  intrinsic motivation  behavioral engagement) as well as to analyze the invariance of this model according to physical activity (PA) levels. A sample of 468 12-16 physical education (PE) students completed different validated instruments. The hypothesized sequence was tested through a structural equation model. Fitting indices revealed that the model was suitable to predict engagement (χ2 [112] = 310.65, p < .001, χ2 /df = 2.77, CFI = .94, TLI =.92, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .06). All the hypothesized relationships were significant except for the association between relatedness and intrinsic motivation (p>.05). Findings from the invariance analyses indicated that competence became more important among adolescents showing higher levels in autonomous motivation and PA while autonomy became more relevant among students showing lower levels in autonomous motivation and PA. Results thus suggest that strategies used to facilitate engagement in PE classes should be adapted to students according to the PA they usually perform.

Download Full-text

Gender Differences in Self-Determined Motivation and Subjective Well-Being of Adapted Sport Athletes Members of the Special with Intellectual and Developmental Difficulties Members (Diferencias de género en la motivación autodeterminada y el bienestar sub

Retos ◽

10.47197/retos.v44i0.88827 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 328-334

Author(s):

Ana Margarida Martins Domingues ◽

Jorge Manuel Folgado dos Santos ◽

João Julio Matos Serrano ◽

Marco Batista ◽

João Manuel Duarte Petrica

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Nonparametric Test ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Special Olympics ◽

Satisfaction Scale ◽

Adapted Sports

The Theory of Self-Determination has been used as a theoretical model of support in several studies on motivation in Sport. In this sense, we realize that motivation is a topic to which researchers have devoted much of their time, however, when researching adapted sports, and the person with Intellectual and Developmental Difficulty we observe a shortage in research. This study aimed to verify the levels of self-determination and subjective well-being of athletes members of the Special Olympics of Portugal, and ii) to compare the variables under analysis according to gender. In this quantitative study participated 94 athletes of Adapted Sports, aged between 11 and 63 years (ẋ=32.61 ± SD=13.8) of both genders, competitors of individual and collective sports. The monitoring instruments used were Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ), Basic Psychological Needs Exercise Scale (BPNES), Life Satisfaction Scale (SWLS) and Positive and Negative Attachment Scale (PANAS). Data analysis was based on the verification of the internal consistency of the scales applied through the calculation of alpha and Cronbach, descriptive analysis of data and application for gender comparison through the nonparametric test U Mann-Whitney, as well as a linear regression, meeting a significance level of 0.05. As a result, we observed that the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and motivation predict good levels of life satisfaction also of positive attachment. We also found statistically significant differences in life satisfaction and negative attachments when comparing gender outcomes. Resumen. La Teoría de la Autodeterminación se ha utilizado como modelo teórico de apoyo en varios estudios sobre la motivación en el Deporte. En este sentido, nos damos cuenta de que la motivación es un tema al que los investigadores han dedicado gran parte de su tiempo, sin embargo, a la hora de investigar deportes adaptados, y la persona con Dificultad Intelectual y de Desarrollo observamos una escasez en la investigación. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo verificar los niveles de autodeterminación y bienestar subjetivo de los atletas miembros de las Olimpiadas Especiales de Portugal, y ii) comparar las variables bajo análisis según género. En este estudio cuantitativo participaron 94 deportistas de Deportes Adaptados, con edades entre 11 y 63 años (ẋ = 32,61 ± DE = 13,8) de ambos sexos, competidores de deportes individuales y colectivos. Los instrumentos de seguimiento utilizados fueron el Cuestionario de Regulación Conductual en el Deporte (BRSQ), la Escala de Ejercicio de Necesidades Psicológicas Básicas (BPNES), la Escala de Satisfacción con la Vida (SWLS) y la Escala de Apego Positivo y Negativo (PANAS). El análisis de los datos se basó en la verificación de la consistencia interna de las escalas aplicadas mediante el cálculo de alfa y Cronbach, análisis descriptivo de los datos y aplicación para la comparación de género mediante la prueba no paramétrica U Mann-Whitney, así como una regresión lineal, cumpliendo un nivel de significancia de 0.05. Como resultado, observamos que la satisfacción de las necesidades psicológicas básicas y la motivación predicen buenos niveles de satisfacción con la vida también del apego positivo. También encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la satisfacción con la vida y los apegos negativos al comparar los resultados de género.

Download Full-text

Exploring Proximal LGBTQ+ Minority Stressors Within Physical Activity Contexts from a Self-determination Theory Perspective

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaab052 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shannon S C Herrick ◽

Meredith A Rocchi ◽

Shane N Sweet ◽

Lindsay R Duncan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Effect Size ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Autonomous Motivation ◽

Self Determination Theory ◽

Psychological Needs ◽

Need Satisfaction ◽

Basic Psychological Needs ◽

Self Determination ◽

Small Effect Size

Abstract Background LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) individuals experience challenges such as discrimination and marginalization (referred to as minority stressors) that are detrimental to their mental and physical health. Specifically, proximal or internalized LGBTQ+ minority stressors may influence motivation for and willingness to participate in physical activity. Purpose To explore whether proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the basic psychological needs—motivation—physical activity pathway, as per self-determination theory. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 778 self-identified LGBTQ+ adults. Structural equation modelling analyses were used to examine how proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the motivational sequence. Results Findings support that proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors are negatively associated with psychological need satisfaction within physical activity (β = −.36), which in turn is positively associated with autonomous motivation (β = .53) and reported physical activity participation (β = .32). Overall, the final model accounted for 13% of variance in need satisfaction (small effect size), 53% of variance in autonomous motivation (moderate-large effect size), and 10% of variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (small effect size). Conclusions Future research focused on increasing LGBTQ+ participation in physical activity should investigate the effects of (a) reducing proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors and (b) better supporting LGBTQ+ adults’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness within physical activity contexts.

Download Full-text