Predicting attitudes and physical activity in an “at-risk” minority youth sample: A test of self-determination theory

ObjectivesThe present work sought to extend past research by (i) testing a model of motivational processes based on the tenets of self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan [1991. A motivational approach to self: Integration in personality. In R. Dienstbier (Ed.), Nebraska symposium on motivation. Vol. 38. Perceptives on motivation (pp. 237–288). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press]) in an “at-risk” minority youth sample, (ii) exploring the relationship between motivation and physical activity behavior and attitudes, and (iii) assessing autonomy-support for physical activity from two social agents.DesignA field cross-sectional design, including an assessment of physical activity over 4 days using pedometers.MethodsComplete data were obtained from 237 predominantly low socioeconomic Hispanic 5th–8th grade students (M age=12.11 years; SD=1.21) from an elementary school located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Four days of physical activity data, height and weight measurements, and responses to a multi-section inventory were collected. A model of hypothesized relationships among the study variables was examined using structural equation modeling.ResultsThe proposed model demonstrated a very good fit to the data [Satorra-Bentler χ2 (24)=46.88, p<.01; CFI=.94; IFI=.95; SRMR=.052]. Supporting the study hypotheses, the model showed that students who perceived autonomy-support toward physical activity to be promoted by their teachers and their parents experienced greater levels of need satisfaction variables (viz., autonomy, competence, and relatedness). In turn, the satisfaction of these psychological needs positively predicted autonomous motivation towards physical activity. Autonomous motivation positively predicted greater levels of (i) physical activity and (ii) positive attitudes towards physical activity. Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be a negative predictor of physical activity.ConclusionsCollectively, the results of the present work provide support for SDT and the application of the framework to enhance our understanding of motivational processes as they relate to physical activity within “at-risk” minority youth.