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Self-Determined Motivation in Physical Education and the Role of Perceived Relevance: A Mixed Methods Study

Dalqvist, Ebba LU (2017) PSYP01 20171
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Physical education could play an important role in promoting future physical activity, but do students perceive the physical education content to be relevant for their personal and future goals? And does this affect their in-class motivation? The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perceived relevance of physical education course content in relation to students‘ contextual self-determined motivation and need satisfaction. Questionnaires containing validated scales as well as open-ended questions were distributed to 348 adolescents (M = 17.01 years) in Swedish upper secondary schools. Quantitative analyses supported previous research on self-determined motivation and need satisfaction, while further suggesting that perceived... (More)
Physical education could play an important role in promoting future physical activity, but do students perceive the physical education content to be relevant for their personal and future goals? And does this affect their in-class motivation? The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perceived relevance of physical education course content in relation to students‘ contextual self-determined motivation and need satisfaction. Questionnaires containing validated scales as well as open-ended questions were distributed to 348 adolescents (M = 17.01 years) in Swedish upper secondary schools. Quantitative analyses supported previous research on self-determined motivation and need satisfaction, while further suggesting that perceived relevance also plays an important role. Gender differences were found in both behavior regulation and need satisfaction, showing less favorable circumstances for female students. Thematic analyses of the qualitative results suggested that both organized and unorganized sports have an important impact on intentions for future physical activity. Further research should take these factors in consideration, and longitudinal research following adolescents through the transition from upper secondary school into adulthood is warranted. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Dalqvist, Ebba LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20171
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
self-determination theory, physical education, physical activity, adolescents, perceived relevance, motivation, exercise psychology
language
English
id
8911580
date added to LUP
2017-06-14 12:29:59
date last changed
2017-06-14 12:29:59
@misc{8911580,
  abstract     = {{Physical education could play an important role in promoting future physical activity, but do students perceive the physical education content to be relevant for their personal and future goals? And does this affect their in-class motivation? The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perceived relevance of physical education course content in relation to students‘ contextual self-determined motivation and need satisfaction. Questionnaires containing validated scales as well as open-ended questions were distributed to 348 adolescents (M = 17.01 years) in Swedish upper secondary schools. Quantitative analyses supported previous research on self-determined motivation and need satisfaction, while further suggesting that perceived relevance also plays an important role. Gender differences were found in both behavior regulation and need satisfaction, showing less favorable circumstances for female students. Thematic analyses of the qualitative results suggested that both organized and unorganized sports have an important impact on intentions for future physical activity. Further research should take these factors in consideration, and longitudinal research following adolescents through the transition from upper secondary school into adulthood is warranted.}},
  author       = {{Dalqvist, Ebba}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Self-Determined Motivation in Physical Education and the Role of Perceived Relevance: A Mixed Methods Study}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}