Abstract
Deci and Ryan (2002) posit the importance of three sources of perceived interpersonal support--autonomy support, structure, and involvement-- that, when fostered, promote psychological need fulfillment and the internalization of behavioural regulation. With interpersonal supports for structure and involvement suggested to facilitate partial internalization of behavioural regulation (i.e., introjected regulations), autonomy support has been deemed essential for fully internalized regulations (i.e., autonomous regulations; Deci & Ryan, 2000). The present study examined Deci and Ryan's (2000; 2002) contentions in a sample of individuals enrolled in a structured exercise class (i.e., OsteoFit) designed to meet the programmatic needs of individuals living with osteoporosis/osteopenia. Participants (N = 279; Mage = 74.13; SDage = 8.01) completed a self-report instrument at the mid-point of a 10-week structured exercise program. Interpersonal supports demonstrated a pattern of small-to-moderate positive correlations with psychological need fulfillment within the context of OsteoFit (r's ranged from .32 - .45). Results demonstrated that the three interpersonal supports were associated with fully internalized (i.e., intrinsic) regulations for behaviour (r's ranged from .21 to .26), but not extrinsic or introjected regulations (p > .05).Overall, this investigation provides support for the importance of perceived interpersonal supports outlined within SDT (Deci & Ryan, 2002).Acknowledgments: Support for this project was provided by BC Women's Hospital and Health Centre OsteoFit program