Abstract
Pride has been identified as one psychological mechanism that shapes effort in a given context (Williams & DeSteno, 2008). The objective of this investigation was to determine whether pride mediates the exercise goal-motivation-effort relationship. Participants (N = 329) completed measures of goal motivation and effort aligned with the Self-Concordance Model (Sheldon & Elliot, 1998) and authentic and hubristic pride in fitness contexts using a cross-sectional design. Bivariate correlations revealed positive associations (r's12 = .33 to .41) between pride and autonomous goal motives aligned with personal values and interests and negative associations with controlled goal motives (i.e., those external to the self; r's12 = -.13 to -.16). Goal-directed effort was more strongly associated with autonomous (r = .56) than controlled (r = .12) goal motives. Multiple mediation analyses indicated that both authentic and hubristic pride (R2adj = .40; point estimate = .17 and -.04 respectively) accounted for the autonomous goal-motive-effort relationship. Authentic pride (R2adj = .27; point estimate = -.07) served as the only mediator of the controlled goal-motive-effort relationship. Overall, results of this preliminary study indicate that pride, especially when authentic in nature, may play an important role in understanding the motivational dynamics operating when individuals pursue exercise goals.Acknowledgments: Support for this research was provided by the Brock University Advancement Fund