Can't see the forest for the trees: Time poverty influences construal level and the moderating role of autonomous versus controlled motivation.

In today's fast-paced world, increasing numbers of individuals face time poverty, i.e., having too much to do and not enough time. The current research conducted six studies (total valid N = 1307) examining whether time poverty influences individuals' construal levels and the moderating role of individuals' motivations towards what they do. The results consistently suggest that time poverty leads individuals to adopt more concrete construal regardless of whether time poverty was measured (Study 1) or manipulated either by a scenario (Studies 2a, 3-5) or by a recall task (Study 2b). Concrete construal prioritizes the "how" over the "why" aspect of actions (Studies 1 and 2a) and emphasizes secondary rather than primary features of options (Studies 2b, 3-5). Meanwhile, the results supported the moderating role of motivations (Studies 3-5). Specifically, compared with those experiencing time poverty due to too many things they "have-to" do (controlled motivation), those experiencing time poverty because of too many things they "want-to" do (autonomous motivation) demonstrated weaker tendencies towards adopting concrete construal. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing literature on how the chronic perception of time poverty shapes the way people feel, think and do.

Impact of Work Motivation on Occupational Health in Healthcare Workers.

OBJECTIVES: The present cross-sectional study investigated, in a group of Italian healthcare workers (HCWs), the association between work motivation and occupational health and the impact of socio-demographic and job-related variables on this association. METHODS: A total of 656 subjects (nurses, technicians, midwives and physiotherapists) completed the survey. Linear regression models were used to correlate motivation types (by Scale of Motivation At Work) with health indicators (general health, depression, professional exhaustion, satisfaction and turnover intention) and burnout's subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced professional achievement). FINDINGS: Autonomous motivation correlated positively with general health and work satisfaction and negatively with depression, exhaustion and turnover intention. Scoring high on intrinsic/integrated regulation was associated with better health and job satisfaction and with turnover intention, depression and emotional exhaustion. Controlled motivation, demotivation and external regulation nourished burnout's indicators, while autonomous motivation was protective. Operating in intensive care or surgical areas negatively affected general health; working as a nurse manager or midwife increased one's depressive risk and reduced satisfaction; being older than 60 increased emotional exhaustion and turnover intention; having a master's degree protected from exhaustion and depression. IMPLICATIONS: Collectively, our findings extend evidence on the role of work motivation in shaping occupational health and underline the importance for healthcare organizations of promoting actions to reinforce autonomous motivation at work.

How job crafting behaviors influence the innovative behavior of knowledge workers in the gig economy: based on the organismic integration theory.

Introduction: The gig economy is extolled for its potential to stimulate economic and social development. This study examines the mediating roles of controlled and autonomous motivation in the relationship between job crafting and innovative behavior in the context of knowledge workers in the gig economy. Methods: To examine these relationships, we propose and test a conceptual framework using an online survey conducted among knowledge workers in China. The participants consisted of 302 knowledge workers who voluntarily participated in the study. We used structural equation modeling to test the proposed relationships among the variables. Results: Controlled and autonomous motivation mediates the relationship between job crafting and innovative behavior. Discussion: Our study shed light on the knowledge workers' motivation dilemma in the gig economy, with theoretical implications for research regarding job crafting, motivation, and practice implications about the job crafting and innovative behavior of knowledge workers.

Correlation between voluntary blood donation and autonomous motivation / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the relationship between voluntary blood donation and autonomous motivation based on self-determination theory, so as to provide insights into optimizing voluntary blood donation recruitment. @*Methods@#Participants meeting the blood donation criteria were selected from blood stations and medical institutions in Hangzhou City, Jiaxing City and Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. A self-designed questionnaire based on self-determination theory was used to collect basic information, awareness and source of blood donation knowledge, autonomous motivation and controlled motivation. The correction between autonomous motivation and voluntary blood donation was analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model.@*Results@#A total of 986 participants at ages of 18-55 years were surveyed, including 730 females (74.04%) and 256 males (25.96%). Among them, 705 participants (71.50%) had experience of voluntary blood donation. The mean score for blood donation knowledge was (5.76±1.17) points, and the total motivation score for blood donation was (58.21±8.17) points, with autonomous motivation scoring (40.86±5.46) points and controlled motivation scoring (17.35±3.26) points. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified gender (female, OR=0.419, 95%CI: 0.273-0.644), occupation (medical profession, OR=4.027, 95%CI: 2.440-6.646), blood donation knowledge (OR=1.307, 95%CI: 1.159-1.475) and autonomous motivation (OR=1.074, 95%CI: 1.033-1.116) as factors affecting voluntary blood donation. @*Conclusions@#Autonomous motivation may promote voluntary blood donation. In blood donation recruitment efforts, it is vital to enhance autonomous motivation and make appropriate use of controlled motivation.

[Autonomous and controlled motivation fit on college students' physical fitness:based on the polynomial regression and response surface analysis].

OBJECTIVE: Based on the self-determination theory, to explore the relationship between motivation quality and college students' physical fitness and the mediating role of physical activities from the perspective of the coexistence of autonomous motivation(AM) and controlled motivation(CM). METHODS: From October to November 2019, a total of 682 freshmen and sophomores(252 males and 430 females) were recruited with cluster-sampling method from 4 colleges and universities in Wuhu City, filled with questionnaires of Perceived Locus of Causality scale and Godin's leisure-time physical activity questionnaire, and tested physical fitness according to China National Fitness Test Program after 6 weeks. The data were analyzed by polynomial regression combined with response surface analysis and mediation effect test. RESULTS: Physical fitness presented a "convex" curve increase with the consistency of AM and CM(a1=1.547, a2=1.254, P<0.01). The physical fitness of high AM-high CM combination was higher than that of low AM-low CM combination(Z_(hat)=3.111, 95% CI 0.446-5.896). Under the condition of AM and CM differentiation, physical fitness was higher when the discrepancy was such that AM was higher than CM(a3=5.280, P<0.01; a4=0.232, P>0.05). AM positively predicted physical activity in a nonlinear form(ß_( AM)=1.605, ß_(AM)~2=1.602, P<0.01). Physical activity showed a "convex" change with the consistency of AM-CM(a1=0.811, P > 0.05; a2=1.618, P <0.01), but there was no significant difference in the level of physical activity between high and low AM-CM combination(Z_(hat)=1.407, 95% CI-0.084-3.391). Physical activity was higher in high AM-low CM combination than that in high CM-low AM combination(Z_(hat)=5.008, 95% CI 2.348-7.113). Matching of AM and CM influenced college students' physical fitness directly(ß=0.453, P<0.01) and indirectly through physical activity(ß=0.184, 95% CI 0.145-0.240). CONCLUSION: The coexistence of AM and CM effects physical fitness through their consistency and inconsistency matching.

Perceived Physical Education Teachers' Controlling Behaviour and Students' Physical Activity during Leisure Time-The Dark Side of the Trans-Contextual Model of Motivation.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the controlling behaviour of physical education teachers might be detrimental to their students' psychological experiences. The purpose of this work was to examine whether and to what extent the different dimensions of the perceived controlling teaching questionnaire predict students' basic psychological needs, motivations, and physical activities during leisure-time. Methods: A total of 299 students (164 boys and 135 girls) from four Estonian general education schools and two vocational education institutions participated in the study. Students filled in the questionnaire of study variables. A variance-based structural model was used to test the research hypotheses. Results: The results revealed that different forms of controlling behaviours predicted psychological need frustration (ß = 0.09−0.37; p < 0.01). Psychological need frustration predicted controlled motivation (ß = 0.52; p < 0.01). Controlled motivation predicted subjective norms (ß = 0.51; p < 0.01). Intention was predicted by attitudes (ß = 0.30; p < 0.01), perceived behavioural control (ß = 0.37; p < 0.01), and subjective norms (ß = 0.15; p < 0. 01). Attitude was statistically significantly related to leisure-time physical activity (ß = 0.09; p < 0.05). The model describes 10% of students' physical activity in the context of leisure-time. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that physical education teachers should avoid using controlling behaviours if the aim is to avoid frustrating their students' psychological needs, which might have detrimental effect on students' leisure-time physical activity via controlled forms of motivation.

The Influence of Performance-Contingent Rewards on Proactive and Responsive Creativity: Dual-Path Mediating Effects of Work Motivation.

Creativity has become prevalent in the routine work of knowledge employees in contemporary enterprises. From the perspective of ambidexterity, drawing upon expectancy theory and self-determination theory (SDT), the present study highlights the driver behind proactive and responsive creativity. Using two-stage longitudinal data collected from 373 knowledge employee-supervisor dyads in information and manufacturing companies in China, the results show that: (1) performance-contingent rewards have an inverted U-shaped influence on proactive creativity and a U-shaped influence on responsive creativity; (2) performance-contingent rewards have an inverted U-shaped influence on autonomous and controlled motivation; (3) autonomous motivation has a positive influence on proactive creativity, but controlled motivation has a negative influence on responsive creativity; (4) autonomous and controlled motivation play a partly mediating mechanism in the non-linear effects of performance-contingent rewards on proactive and responsive creativity, respectively. Managers should enhance the ambidextrous ability to deal with proactive and responsive creativity and establish an applied and dynamic policy of performance-contingent rewards intensity to drive ambidextrous creativity.

How supervisors can support employees' needs and motivation? an experimental study based on SDT.

Supervisors and managers have an increasingly significant role in employees' motivation. The applied framework in this field research was the Self-Determination Theory (SDT). In this way, it was assessed that whether supervisors can be trained in order to support employees' basic psychological needs including autonomy, relatedness, and competence. As a result, their need satisfaction and autonomous motivation were promoted, at the same time, the controlled motivation and amotivation were reduced. The training was provided to 15 supervisors then employees' need satisfaction, amotivation, controlled motivation, and autonomous motivation were investigated, pre- and post-intrvention. Performing a multilevel regression analysis revealed that employees in the intervention group showed an increment in autonomous motivation and need satisfaction, as well as a significant reduction in amotivation than those of the control group. Furthermore, increasing autonomous motivation and decreasing amotivation were moderated via increasing need satisfaction. An added value has been provided for the mentioned theory on need satisfaction by the current study. It was also indicated that a relatively brief intervention for supervisors may affect creating employees need support, and autonomous motivation increment, and amotivation reduction.

Validity and reliability evidence for the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire with Romanian professional athletes.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance attributed to athletes' motivation in sports performance and well-being; no measures of motivation toward sport were found in the Romanian sport context. OBJECTIVE: Grounded in self-determination theory, this research aimed to adapt and to gather validity and reliability evidence supporting the use of the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ) in the Romanian sport domain. METHOD: The participants were 596 Romanian professional athletes (age: M = 22.91, SD = 5.84; sports experience: M = 11.14, SD = 5.03), who 273 practiced individual sports and 323 team sports. They completed an online questionnaire survey assessing their perception of behavioral regulation, resilience and burnout in sport. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the six-factor correlated model, which was invariant across age and sport. Correlations among latent factors configured a simplex structure, underpinning the self-determination continuum. Average variance extracted values from .50 to .70 endorsed convergent validity. Scores for heterotrait-monotrait ratio of correlations as high as .88, as well as 95% confidence intervals of each interfactor correlation that did not include 1.00 supported discriminant validity. Values over .70 for Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega and Raykov's coefficients showed a good level of reliability for each factor. Linear regression analysis revealed that while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation and identified regulation positively predicted resilience, introjected regulation, external regulation and amotivation positively predicted burnout. CONCLUSIONS: The BRSQ is shown to be a valid and reliable measure of the six types of behavioral regulation in the Romanian sport context.

When and How Job Design Influences Work Motivation: A Self-Determination Theory Approach.

Based on self-determination theory and job characteristics theory, this study aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive model simultaneously investigating the relationship between job characteristics and two forms of work motivation (i.e., controlled motivation and autonomous motivation). To examine the proposed model, we recruited employees working in multiple Chinese industries and collected 435 valid questionnaires. The results indicate that job characteristics have a significantly positive effect on basic psychological needs satisfaction, which, in turn, positively affects autonomous motivation and negatively influences controlled motivation. In addition, basic psychological needs satisfaction mediates the linkage between job characteristics and positive or negative work motivation. Moreover, when an employee had high positive affectivity, job characteristics were more likely to fuel their basic psychological needs satisfaction. In contrast, job characteristics were more likely to be the depressor of these needs satisfaction when an employee possesses high negative affectivity. Our findings revealed that the degree of three needs satisfaction at work is a convincing and identifiable psychological mechanism between job characteristics and two types of work motivation. Also, work affectivity may influence the different perceptions of job characteristics, reminding managers that personality traits are a non-negligible factor in job design. Overall, this paper extends the application of the job characteristics model by revealing when and how job characteristics influence two types of work motivation and further puts forward managerial implications.

Influence of blood donation service on the autonomous motivation of blood donors / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To explore the influence of blood donors′ demographic characteristics and blood donation service experience on voluntary blood donation motivation. 【Methods】 Using self-made questionnaire, stratified sampling method was used to select blood donors from three urban areas in Zhejiang province for investigation. Independent sample t-test, variance analysis and chi-square test were used to compare the differences of blood donation motivation and blood donation service experience of different blood donors. Spearman correlation analysis and linear regression were used to analyze the correlation between blood donation motivation and blood donation service and the influencing factors of blood donation motivation. 【Results】 There were 705 valid samples. The motivation level of blood donation is higher in married people than that in unmarried people, in those over 27 years old than in those under 26 years old, and in those who donated for ≥3 times than those 1-2 times (P<0.05). The experience of blood donors in blood station staff service, blood donation process and blood donation environment was stronger than that of blood donation sites (P<0.05). Both voluntary motivation and controlled motivation were positively correlated with blood donation service experience (P<0.05). Good experience of blood donors on the distribution of blood donation sites, service of blood station staff and blood donation process was conducive to the improvement of blood donation motivation. 【Conclusion】 Blood donation service experience can influence the autonomous motivation and controlled motivation of blood donors to donate blood again. It is suggested that blood centers should take the test during conducting blood donation publicity and blood donation services.

Work Autonomous and Controlled Motivation on Chinese Employees' Work Performance and Innovative Work Behaviour: The Moderating Role of Financial Stress.

This study applied self-determination theory (SDT) to investigate the relationships between work motivation and work behaviour of Chinese employees and the moderating role of financial stress. Data were obtained from 245 employees of five organisations in China using a convenience sampling technique. The results indicated that autonomous motivation positively predicted work performance and innovative work behaviour, while controlled motivation had a positive effect only on work performance of employees. In addition, financial stress moderated the relationships between autonomous motivation and work performance and innovative work behaviour of employees. Specifically, the beneficial effect of autonomous motivation on work performance and innovative work behaviour disappeared when financial stress was high. The findings of the present study supported cultural similarities in the positive role of autonomous motivation and showed cultural differences in the role of controlled motivation. The implications of this study are also discussed.

Individualism, Competitiveness, and Fear of Negative Evaluation in Pre-adolescents: Does the Teacher's Controlling Style Matter?

The traditional teaching style in which the teacher is in control and there is a submissive attitude in students is predominant in Mexico. The development of identity in preadolescence is subjected to social groups, which could develop interpersonal difficulties through the controlling teaching style. Although the fear of negative evaluation in students and competitive sport has been studied in education, relatively little research has been done in the area of physical education in relation to the controlling style. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation and predictive relationship between controlling teaching and the fear of negative evaluation mediated by the frustration of the basic psychological needs (BPN), controlled motivation, and individualism/competitiveness through the theoretical framework of self-determination theory. Participants were 1132 students in the fifth and sixth grades in public elementary schools in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, with ages between 10 and 13 (M = 10.51 years; SD = 0.66 years). Results indicate the perceived controlling teaching style positively predicted the fear of negative evaluation in students of this study through BPN frustration, that is positively related to low-quality motivation, which is related to a higher level of individualism/competitiveness. This, in turn, is proven to be a predictor of the fear of negative evaluation. The results also discuss the promotion of the autonomy support style, avoiding the controlling teaching style, for the minimization of negative results related to the perception of fear and the development of student well-being both within and beyond the school context.

Regressing Dual Side of Motivation on Exercise Commitment in Adults: A Structured Equation Modelling Approach / Regresión del lado dual de la motivación sobre el compromiso con el ejercicio en adultos: un enfoque de modelado de ecuaciones estructuradas

Physical activity and exercise is the key to a healthy lifestyle and prevention of disease. Lack of persistency and regular commitment towards exercise are the basic challenges that lead individuals to develop inactive physical lifestyles. Motivation for exercise plays an important role in maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, a pre-requisite a healthy ageing process in the future. In this context, the self-determination theory is a widely used theory in the context of studying the influence of an individual’s motivation for his/her behavior. In this context, the current study has been conducted with the objective to explore how autonomous, controlled and extrinsic motivation influences levels of exercise persistence and exercise commitment with the mediation of exercise enjoyment in China. To achieve this objective, the data was collected from 304 respondents through a survey questionnaire and the collected data was analyzed. The results obtained from the analysis have indicated that the impact of autonomous motivation is positively significant for exercise persistence but is insignificant in case of exercise commitment. Similarly, the impact of controlled motivation is significant and positive for both exercise commitment and persistence. Moreover, the impact of extrinsic motivation is negatively significant for both exercise commitment and persistence. Lastly, exercise enjoyment has significant mediating role between all the independent variables and dependent variables. The study has theoretical as well as practical implications, especially the gym trainers and physical health fitness coaches.(AU)

Effects of Motivational Interviewing and Wearable Fitness Trackers on Motivation and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the impacts of Wearable Fitness Trackers (WFTs), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Self Determination Theory (SDT)-based interventions on physical activity (PA) and motivation for PA. DATA SOURCE: Manuscripts published between 2008 and 2018 in PubMed, Web of Science, CABAbstracts, and SPORTDiscus database were reviewed. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria were original pilot studies, randomized controlled trials (RCT), cross-sectional studies, qualitative assessments, prospective cohort studies, longitudinal observational studies, and pretest posttest designs published in peer-reviewed journals. DATA EXTRACTION: Studies were evaluated by 2 independent researchers for inclusion. DATA SYNTHESIS: Extracted data were synthesized in a tabular format and narrative summary. RESULTS: Twenty-six studies met final inclusion criteria, 10 addressed WFT use and PA behavior, 4 investigated WFT use and its association with motivation for PA, and 10 examined SDT and/or MI and their effect on motivation for PA and/or PA behavior. Finally, 2 studies addressed SDT-based MI, WFT use, and the combined effect on PA behavior. CONCLUSIONS: While SDT-based interventions and MI positively impact motivation for PA and PA behavior, WFTs revealed mixed results. Wearable Fitness Trackers prove effective among individuals not currently meeting PA guidelines but have little impact on other populations. Self Determination Theory, MI, and WFTs use provides a promising combination of interventions to increase PA among sedentary individuals, though research is limited.

Understanding Girls' Motivation to Participate in Sport: The Effects of Social Identity and Physical Self-Concept.

Introduction: Girls are often less motivated to participate in community sport compared to boys. Having a strong social identity with a sports team is positively associated with motivation to continue participation in sport, yet the mechanisms explaining this association are not well-known. In the current study, physical self-concept is tested as a mediator of the association between social identity and motivation. Method: Girl badminton athletes were recruited to examine how the team environment shapes physical self-concept, and whether this association relates to motivation to participate in sport. Ninety-two girls completed a self-report survey to measure social identity, physical self-perceptions, and motivation. Two mediation models were conducted to examine whether physical self-concept mediated the relationship between social identity and autonomous motivation and controlled motivation. Results: Physical self-concept partially mediated the relationship between social identity and autonomous motivation. The bootstrapped unstandardized indirect effect was, b = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.002 to.14. Physical self-concept fully mediated the relationship between social identity and controlled motivation. The bootstrapped unstandardized indirect effect was, b = -0.13, 95% CI = -0.30 to -0.01, p = 0.04. Discussion: These results highlight the importance of the group context in relation to individual physical self-concept and motivation. Overall, targeting aspects of the team environment in community-level sport may be an important strategy to improve girls' physical self-concept, and autonomous motivation to continue sport participation.

What Motivates People With (Pre)Diabetes to Move? Testing Self-Determination Theory in Rural Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a rapid growth of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its related burden. Regular physical activity (PA) is a successful prevention strategy but is challenging to maintain. Self-determination theory (SDT) posits that more autonomous forms of motivation are associated with more sustainable behavior change. Evidence to support this claim is lacking in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to explore the relationships between latent constructs of autonomous and controlled motivation, perceived competence, perceived relatedness, PA behavior, and glycemic biomarkers. METHODS: Structural equation modeling was applied to cross-sectional data from a rural Ugandan population (N = 712, pre-diabetes = 329, diabetes = 383). Outcome measures included self-reported moderate and vigorous PA, pedometer counts, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). RESULTS: Our findings support SDT, but also suggest that different types of motivation regulate different domains and intensities of PA. Higher frequency of vigorous PA - which was linked to a lower HbA1C and FPG - was predicted by autonomous motivation (ß = 0.24) but not by controlled motivation (ß = -0.05). However, we found no association with moderate PA frequency nor with pedometer counts. Perceived competence and perceived relatedness predicted autonomous motivation. Autonomous motivation functioned as a mediator between those needs and PA behavior. CONCLUSION: This is the first study providing evidence for a SDT model explaining PA among people at risk of, or living with, T2D in a rural sub-Saharan African setting. Our findings suggest that individuals who experience genuine support from friends or family and who feel competent in doing vigorous PA can become motivated through identification of health benefits of PA as their own goals. This type of motivation resulted in a higher frequency of vigorous PA and better glycemic biomarkers. On the other hand, people who felt more motivated through pressure from others or through feelings of guilt or shame were not more engaged in PA. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 11913581. Registered January 10, 2017.

Relationship between perfectionism and attitudes toward doping in young athletes: the mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that autonomous and controlled motivation may mediate the relationship between perfectionism and attitudes toward doping. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association among perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, autonomous motivation, controlled motivation, and attitudes toward doping in young athletes. The potential mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation was examined. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-three Chinese athletes were surveyed using questionnaires. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to evaluate the potential mediating role of autonomous and controlled motivation between perfectionism and attitudes toward doping. RESULTS: The results showed that perfectionistic strivings was negatively associated with attitudes toward doping, whereas perfectionistic concerns positively predicted attitudes toward doping. Autonomous motivation was negatively associated with attitudes toward doping, whereas controlled motivation positively predicted attitudes toward doping. The mediation analyses showed that the relationship between perfectionistic strivings and attitudes toward doping was partially mediated by autonomous motivation. The relationship between perfectionistic concerns and attitudes toward doping was partially mediated by controlled motivation. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggested that fostering perfectionistic strivings and autonomous motivation and reducing perfectionistic concerns and controlled motivation may be considered for inclusion in athletes' anti-doping education.

The relationship between pro-environmental attitude and employee green behavior: the role of motivational states and green work climate perceptions.

Employee green behavior is an environmentally friendly behavior in the workplace and is an important basis for transforming an organization's macrolevel sustainable development strategy into concrete practice. How does employees' pro-environmental attitude affect the implementation of their behaviors? To answer this question, we examined the relationship between pro-environmental attitude and employee green behavior and the roles of motivational states and green work climate perceptions in this process. The results showed that pro-environmental attitude positively predicted required employee green behavior and voluntary employee green behavior and that these relationships were mediated by controlled and autonomous motivations. In addition, this study showed that the positive role of pro-environmental attitude in controlled motivation and autonomous motivation was moderated by green work climate perceptions. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications.

The role of dark-side of motivation and intention to continue in exercise: A self-determination theory approach.

Motivation plays an important role when it comes to regular physical exercise. Hence, low levels of intentions to continue exercising in the future may ultimately lead to higher rates of exercise dropout. The first objective of the present research was to test a theoretical model considering the dark side of motivational determinants on intentions towards exercising in the future. The second objective consisted in comparing groups with different characteristics, as a way to identify individuals with weaker intention, which is believed to be an indicator of a higher dropout risk. In total, 544 (294 female; 250 male) gym exercisers aged between 18 and 58 years (M = 35.00; SD = 11.57) partook in the present research. Participants were engaged in fitness group classes (n = 273) or in cardio/resistance workouts (n = 271), and their exercise experience ranged from 3 to 120 months (M = 47.41; SD = 7.54). Results showed that the measurement and the structural model had an excellent fit. In addition, the structural model was invariant between gender, fitness activities, and exercise experience. Each group displayed different explained variance in intention to continue exercising. Overall, male, young adults and more experienced exercisers had stronger intentions towards exercising. Fitness instructors should be aware of their own thwarting behaviors, especially when interacting with female, young and less experienced exercisers, since they have weaker intentions to exercise in the future, possibly representing an increased risk of withdrawal.