To fulfill or to thwart? That is the question! Basic Psychological Needs Theory in physical activity contexts

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to test Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT; Deci & Ryan, 2002) in physical activity contexts. More specially, this investigation examined if the concept of psychological need thwarting advances Deci and Ryan's theoretical predictions about well and ill-being. Participants from the general population (N = 157, Mage =37.70 years; SDage = 19.88 years) completed assessments of psychological need satisfaction and thwarting, subjective vitality and positive and negative affect during two separate test administrations separated by a time-lag of 6 months. Change scores were calculated via robust residualized regression. Changes in psychological need satisfaction predicted positive affect (R2adj= .14, p < .05), subjective vitality (R2adj= .14, p < .05) and negative affect (R2adj= .12, p < .05). Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that changes in need thwarting significantly predicted negative affect (change in R2adj= .11, p < .05), but not positive affect (change in R2adj= .01, p > .05) or subjective vitality (change in R2adj= .04, p < .05) beyond psychological need satisfaction. Results support Deci and Ryan's theoretical contentions regarding the negative outcomes associated with psychological need thwarting. Psychological need satisfaction predicts well-being whereas psychological need thwarting contributes to the understanding of ill-being in physical activity contexts.

Acknowledgments: Funding for this research was provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada