The role of autonomy and controlling teachers behaviors on pupils needs satisfaction and needs thwarting

• Purpose: Physical Education (PE) can be of importance for increasing pupils’ physical activity (PA) levels, whereas the PE teachers may play an important role in motivating the pupils to engage in PA. Based on the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the overall aim of this study is to explore social conditions that satisfies versus thwarts the basic psychological needs of pupils, and in turn impacts well-/ill-being and behavior outcomes in the PE context.Methods: A set of SDT-based instruments measuring perceived autonomy supportive/controlling teacher behaviors, needs satisfaction/thwarting, motivation, and physical (in)activity will be distributed to about 200 pupils in grades seven to nine.Structural equation modeling will be used to test a proposed working model.Results: On the one hand, it is expected that if the pupils perceive their PE teacher as autonomy supportive this will satisfy the pupils’ basic needs, and in turn lead to more self-determined motivation and enhanced well-being. Self-determined motivation will in turn predict healthy behaviors, such as PA. On the other hand, it is expected that if the pupils perceive their PE teacher as controlling this will thwart the pupils’ basic needs, and in turn lead to more controlled motivation and greater ill-being. Controlled motivation will in turn predict unhealthy behaviors, such as physical inactivity.Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge in the literature regarding the effects of controlling teachers’ behavior on pupils’ needs thwarting and ill-being. This knowledge should be considered essential when developing future interventions and educating new PE teachers.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)