This study explored how social physique anxiety (SPA) combined with different patterns of motivation regulations might facilitate versus deter effort and enjoyment in physical education (PE) and leisure-time physical activity.
Motivation regulations were measured using an adapted version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-2) [ 53].
This trial will determine whether an exercise referral programme based on Self Determination Theory increases physical activity and other health outcomes compared to a standard programme and will test the underlying SDT-based process model (perceived autonomy support, need satisfaction, motivation regulations, outcomes) via structural equation modelling.
The four basic motivation-related processes are self-efficacy (i.e., the belief in being able to master difficult demands), decision regulation (i.e., the ability to quickly come to self-congruent decisions), activation regulation (i.e., the ability to initiate a planned action), and motivation regulation (i.e., the ability to motivate oneself to persevere in the face of difficulties).
The goal-directed character of apathy corresponds to the goal-directed quality of motivational processes outlined above: Self-regulatory strategies (i.e., decision, activation, and motivation regulation) are needed to effectively implement a goal, in particular in the face of difficulties.
In turn, consistent with research examining the relationship between motivation regulation and athlete burnout, self-determined regulation was expected to be negatively associated with athlete burnout.
The SRL dimensions that arise are: meta-cognitive regulation (commitment with the learning goal, planning and follow-up), cognition regulation (use of cognitive strategies), motivation regulation (adjustment of mood, making learning attractive), behavioural regulation (time and effort management) and environmental regulation (seeking material and social resources).
Delay of gratification correlated with delay discounting and self-reported (present) motivation regulation.
Decision regulation is needed in the crossover from goal setting to goal striving; activation regulation is needed to start with an action; motivation regulation is needed to keep up with the action or to resume the action.
Four variables (motivation regulation, decision regulation, activation regulation, and self-efficacy) have been assessed from two perspectives (self-report and informant-report) and two time points (present and retrospective), which resulted in four versions each.
Finally, DoG correlated with delay discounting (r = −.23, p < .05) and self-reported (present) motivation regulation (r = .22, p < .05), however, without significance when adjusting for multiple tests (not shown in Tab. 4).
