Home Psychological needs, self-regulation, and motivation profiles among a sample of Hong Kong Chinese university students: a person-centered approach
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Psychological needs, self-regulation, and motivation profiles among a sample of Hong Kong Chinese university students: a person-centered approach

  • Cecilia M.S. Ma EMAIL logo , Daniel T.L. Shek and Catie C.W. Lai
Published/Copyright: November 22, 2016

Abstract

To better understand factors that influence individuals’ motivation to engage in physical activity, this study aimed to identify the motivational profiles among the Chinese university students, compare the motivational profiles between genders, and explore whether satisfaction of various psychological needs vary with different motivational profiles. Two thousand and twenty-two Chinese university students completed a battery of self-report questionnaires assessing motivation regulation and psychological needs satisfaction. Three motivational profiles were identified for both genders. The overall patterns of the motivational profiles for both genders were similar. However, males (44%) were more likely than their female counterparts (19%) in self-determined profile group. Students with self-determined motivation profile, compared to non self-determined motivation profile, had higher values on three types of needs satisfaction. Findings and implication of the study were discussed.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Start-up Fund for New Recruits from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (account code: 1-ZE36).

References

1. American College Health Association. Healthy campus 2010: make it happen 2002. URL: https://www.acha.org/healthycampus.Search in Google Scholar

2. Healthy people 2010: understanding and improving health. Washington, DC: US Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2000.Search in Google Scholar

3. Melton BF, Bigham LE, Bland HW, Bird M, Fairman C. Health-related behaviors and technology usage among college students. Am J Health Behav 2014;38:510–8.10.5993/AJHB.38.4.4Search in Google Scholar PubMed

4. Deci EL, Ryan RM. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum, 1985.10.1007/978-1-4899-2271-7Search in Google Scholar

5. Deci EL, Ryan RM. The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychol Inq 2000;11:227–68.10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01Search in Google Scholar

6. Edmunds J, Ntoumanis N, Duda JL. A test of self-determination theory in the exercise domain. J Appl Soc Psychol 2006;36: 2240–65.10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00102.xSearch in Google Scholar

7. Hagger M, Chatzisarantis N. Self-determination theory and the psychology of exercise. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol 2008;1: 79–103.10.1080/17509840701827437Search in Google Scholar

8. Mullan E, Markland D, Ingledew DK. A graded conceptualisation of self-determination in the regulation of exercise behaviour: development of a measure using confirmatory factor analytic procedures. Pers Individ Dif 1997;23:745–52.10.1016/S0191-8869(97)00107-4Search in Google Scholar

9. Deci EL, Ryan RM. Handbook of self-determination research. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press, 2002.Search in Google Scholar

10. Koestner R, Losier GG. Distinguishing three ways of being internally motivated: a closer look at introjection, identification, and intrinsic motivation. In: Deci EL, Ryan RM, editors. Handbook of self-determination research. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press, 2002:101–21.Search in Google Scholar

11. Owen KB, Astell-Burt T, Lonsdale C. The relationship between self-determined motivation and physical activity in adolescent boys. J Adolesc Health 2013;53:420–2.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.05.007Search in Google Scholar PubMed

12. Sabiston CM, Brunet J, Kowalski KC, Wilson PM, Mack DE, Crocker PR. The role of body-related self-conscious emotions in motivating women’s physical activity. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2010;32:417–37.10.1123/jsep.32.4.417Search in Google Scholar PubMed

13. Barbeau A, Sweet SN, Fortier M. A path-analytic model of self-determination theory in a physical activity context. J Appl Biobehav Res 2009;14:103–18.10.1111/j.1751-9861.2009.00043.xSearch in Google Scholar

14. Standage M, Sebire S, Loney T. Engagement in objectively assessed bouts of moderate-intensity exercise: a self-determination theory perspective. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2008;30:337–52.10.1123/jsep.30.4.337Search in Google Scholar PubMed

15. Teixeira PJ, Carraça EV, Markland D, Silva MN, Ryan RM. Exercise, physical activity, and self-determination theory: a systematic review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2012;9:78–108.10.1186/1479-5868-9-78Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

16. Duda JL, Allison MT. Cross-cultural analysis in exercise and sport psychology: a void in the field. J Sport Exerc Psychol 1990;12:114–31.10.1123/jsep.12.2.114Search in Google Scholar

17. Duda J, Hayashi C, Duda J. Measurement issues in cross-cultural research within sport and exercise psychology. Adv Sport Exerc Psychol Meas 1998;7:471–83.Search in Google Scholar

18. Lonsdale C, Sabiston CM, Taylor IM, Ntoumanis N. Measuring student motivation for physical education: examining the psychometric properties of the perceived locus of causality questionnaire and the situational motivation scale. Psychol Sport Exerc 2011;12:284–92.10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.11.003Search in Google Scholar

19. Deci EL, Koestner R, Ryan RM. A meta-analytic review of experiments examining the effects of extrinsic rewards on intrinsic motivation. Psychol Bull 1999;125:627–68.10.1037/0033-2909.125.6.627Search in Google Scholar PubMed

20. Iyengar SS, Lepper MR. Rethinking the value of choice: a cultural perspective on intrinsic motivation. J Pers Soc Psychol 1999;76:349–66.10.1037/0022-3514.76.3.349Search in Google Scholar

21. Martin SB, Morrow JR, Jackson AW, Dunn AL. Variables related to meeting the CDC/ACSM physical activity guidelines. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:2087–92.10.1097/00005768-200012000-00019Search in Google Scholar PubMed

22. Lee RL, Loke AJ. Health-promoting behaviors and psychosocial well-being of university students in hong kong. Public Health Nurs 2005;22:209–20.10.1111/j.0737-1209.2005.220304.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

23. Mok WK, Lee AY. A case study on application of the theory of planned behaviour: predicting physical activity of adolescents in hong kong. J Commun Med Health Educ 2013;3:231–7.Search in Google Scholar

24. Vallerand RJ, Fortier MS, Guay F. Self-determination and persistence in a real-life setting: toward a motivational model of high school dropout. J Pers Soc Psychol 1997;72:1161–76.10.1037/0022-3514.72.5.1161Search in Google Scholar

25. Standage M, Duda JL, Ntoumanis N. Students’ motivational processes and their relationship to teacher ratings in school physical education: a self-determination theory approach. Res Q Exerc Sport 2006;77:100–10.10.1080/02701367.2006.10599336Search in Google Scholar PubMed

26. Wang C, Biddle S. Young people’s motivational profiles in physical activity: a cluster analysis. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2001;23:1–22.10.1123/jsep.23.1.1Search in Google Scholar

27. Moran CM, Diefendorff JM, Kim T-Y, Liu Z-Q. A profile approach to self-determination theory motivations at work. J Vocat Behav 2012;81:354–63.10.1016/j.jvb.2012.09.002Search in Google Scholar

28. Ullrich-French S, Cox A. Using cluster analysis to examine the combinations of motivation regulations of physical education students. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2009;31:358–79.10.1123/jsep.31.3.358Search in Google Scholar PubMed

29. Lim BS, Wang CK. Perceived autonomy support, behavioural regulations in physical education and physical activity intention. Psychol Sport Exerc 2009;10:52–60.10.1016/j.psychsport.2008.06.003Search in Google Scholar

30. Wang C, Chatzisarantis NL, Spray CM, Biddle SJ. Achievement goal profiles in school physical education: differences in self-determination, sport ability beliefs, and physical activity. Br J Educ Psychol 2002;72:433–45.10.1348/000709902320634401Search in Google Scholar PubMed

31. Marsh H, Lüdtke O, Trautwein U, Morin AS. Classical latent profile analysis of academic self-concept dimensions: synergy of person- and variable-centered approaches to theoretical models of self-concept. Struct Equ Modeling 2009;16:191–225.10.1080/10705510902751010Search in Google Scholar

32. Ratelle CF, Guay F, Vallerand RJ, Larose S, Senécal C. Autonomous, controlled, and amotivated types of academic motivation: a person-oriented analysis. J Educ Psychol 2007;99:734–46.10.1037/0022-0663.99.4.734Search in Google Scholar

33. Boiché J, Sarrazin PG, Grouzet FM, Pelletier LG, Chanal JP. Students’ motivational profiles and achievement outcomes in physical education: a self-determination perspective. J Educ Psychol 2008;100:688.10.1037/0022-0663.100.3.688Search in Google Scholar

34. Cox AE, Ullrich-French S, Sabiston CM. Using motivation regulations in a person-centered approach to examine the link between social physique anxiety in physical education and physical activity-related outcomes in adolescents. Psychol Sport Exerc 2013;14:461–7.10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.01.005Search in Google Scholar

35. Ntoumanis N. Motivational clusters in a sample of british physical education classes. Psychol Sport Exerc 2002;3:177–94.10.1016/S1469-0292(01)00020-6Search in Google Scholar

36. McNeill MC, Wang CK. Psychological profiles of elite school sports players in Singapore. Psychol Sport Exerc 2005;6:117–28.10.1016/j.psychsport.2003.10.004Search in Google Scholar

37. Markland D, Tobin V. A modification to the behavioural regulation in exercise questionnaire to include an assessment of amotivation. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2004;26:191–6.10.1123/jsep.26.2.191Search in Google Scholar

38. Wilson PM, Rodgers WM. The relationship between perceived autonomy support, exercise regulations and behavioral intentions in women. Psychol Sport Exerc 2004;5:229–42.10.1016/S1469-0292(03)00003-7Search in Google Scholar

39. Ingledew DK, Markland D. Three levels of exercise motivation. Appl Psychol Health Well Being 2009;1:336–55.10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01015.xSearch in Google Scholar

40. Vlachopoulos SP, Kaperoni M, Moustaka FC. The relationship of self-determination theory variables to exercise identity. Psychol Sport Exerc 2011;12:265–72.10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.11.006Search in Google Scholar

41. Markland D, Tobin VJ. Need support and behavioural regulations for exercise among exercise referral scheme clients: the mediating role of psychological need satisfaction. Psychol Sport Exerc 2010;11:91–9.10.1016/j.psychsport.2009.07.001Search in Google Scholar

42. Wilson PM, Rogers WT, Rodgers WM, Wild TC. The psychological need satisfaction in exercise scale. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2006;28:231–51.10.1123/jsep.28.3.231Search in Google Scholar

43. Gunnell KE, Wilson PM, Zumbo BD, Mack DE, Crocker PR. Assessing psychological need satisfaction in exercise contexts: Issues of score invariance, item modification, and context. Meas Phys Educ Exerc Sci 2012;16:219–36.10.1080/1091367X.2012.693340Search in Google Scholar

44. Gunnell KE, Crocker PR, Mack DE, Wilson PM, Zumbo BD. Goal contents, motivation, psychological need satisfaction, well-being and physical activity: a test of self-determination theory over 6 months. Psychol Sport Exerc 2014;15:19–29.10.1016/j.psychsport.2013.08.005Search in Google Scholar

45. Brislin RW. The wording and translation of research instruments. In: Lonner W, Berrhy J, editors. Field methods in cross-cultural research. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage, 1986:137–64.Search in Google Scholar

46. Collins LM, Lanza ST. Latent class and latent transition analysis : with applications in the social behavioral, and health sciences. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2010.Search in Google Scholar

47. Nylund KL, Asparouhov T, Muthén BO. Deciding on the number of classes in latent class analysis and growth mixture modeling: a monte carlo simulation study. Struct Equ Modeling 2007;14:535–69.10.1080/10705510701575396Search in Google Scholar

48. Wang J, Wang X. Mixture modeling. In: Balding DJ, editor. Structural equation modeling: applications using mplus. New York: Wiley, 2012:289–390.10.1002/9781118356258.ch6Search in Google Scholar

49. Aldridge AA, Roesch SC. Developing coping typologies of minority adolescents: A latent profile analysis. J Adolescence 2008;31:499–517.10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.08.005Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central

50. Enders CK. A note on the use of missing auxiliary variables in full information maximum likelihood-based structural equation models. Struct Equ Modeling 2008;15:434–48.10.1080/10705510802154307Search in Google Scholar

51. Cohen J. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences, 2nd ed. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1988.Search in Google Scholar

52. Curran PJ, West SG, Finch JF. The robustness of test statistics to nonnormality and specification error in confirmatory factor analysis. Psychol Methods 1996;1:16–29.10.1037/1082-989X.1.1.16Search in Google Scholar

53. Hu Lt, Bentler PM. Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct Equ Modeling 1999;6:1–55.10.1080/10705519909540118Search in Google Scholar

54. Kline P. An easy guide to factor analysis. London: Routledge, 1994.Search in Google Scholar

55. Browne MW, Cudeck R. Alternative ways of assessing model fit. In: Bollen KA, Long JS, editors. Testing structural equation models. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993:136–62.Search in Google Scholar

56. Byrne BM. Structural equation modeling with AMOS : basic concepts, applications, and programming. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001.Search in Google Scholar

57. Shen B, Wingert RK, Li W, Sun H, Rukavina PB. An amotivation model in physical education. J Teach Phys Educ 2010;29: 72–84.10.1123/jtpe.29.1.72Search in Google Scholar

58. Standage M, Duda JL, Ntoumanis N. A model of contextual motivation in physical education: using constructs from self-determination and achievement goal theories to predict physical activity intentions. J Educ Psychol 2003;95:97–110.10.1037/0022-0663.95.1.97Search in Google Scholar

59. Taylor IM, Ntoumanis N, Standage M, Spray CM. Motivational predictors of physical education students’ effort, exercise intentions, and leisure-time physical activity: a multilevel linear growth analysis. J Sport Exerc Psychol 2010;32:99–120.10.1123/jsep.32.1.99Search in Google Scholar PubMed

60. Gillison FB, Standage M, Skevington SM. Motivation and body-related factors as discriminators of change in adolescents’ exercise behavior profiles. J Adolesc Health 2011;48:44–51.10.1016/j.jadohealth.2010.05.006Search in Google Scholar PubMed

61. Smith JL, Deemer ED, Thoman DB, Zazworsky L. Motivation under the microscope: Understanding undergraduate science students’ multiple motivations for research. Motiv Emot 2014;38:496–512.10.1007/s11031-013-9388-8Search in Google Scholar

62. Hayenga A, Corpus J. Profiles of intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: A person-centered approach to motivation and achievement in middle school. Motiv Emot 2010;34:371–83.10.1007/s11031-010-9181-xSearch in Google Scholar

63. Markus HR, Kitayama S. Models of agency: Sociocultural diversity in the construction of action. In: Murphy-Berman V, Berman J, editors. Nebraska symposium on motivation: cross-cultural differences in perspectives on self. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2003:1–57.Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2016-8-5
Accepted: 2016-9-10
Published Online: 2016-11-22

©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Editorial
  2. Paradigm shift in youth development: Development of “soft skills” in adolescents
  3. Reviews
  4. Dreams, aspirations and related behavior in children and adolescents: impacts on child developmental outcomes
  5. Hope, aspirations, and resilience in children and adolescents: a review of research on measurement and related antecedents
  6. Dreams, aspirations and related constructs in children and adolescents: a literature review
  7. Original Articles
  8. Perceived effectiveness and satisfaction of a community-based positive youth development program: findings based on high school students
  9. Evaluation of a community-based positive youth development program in Hong Kong: views of program implementers
  10. Evaluation of a community-based positive youth development program for adolescents with greater psychosocial needs: views of the program participants
  11. Subjective outcome evaluation of the community-based P.A.T.H.S Project: views of program implementers
  12. Psychological needs, self-regulation, and motivation profiles among a sample of Hong Kong Chinese university students: a person-centered approach
  13. Individual differences in intentional and unintentional exposure to online pornography among Hong Kong Chinese adolescents
  14. Individual and family protective factors of intentional and unintentional consumption of online pornography in Hong Kong
  15. Qualitative evaluation of a service leadership subject in a Chinese context
  16. Students’ views on general education: insights gained from the narratives of Chinese students in Hong Kong
Downloaded on 8.10.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijdhd-2017-7009/html?lang=en
Scroll to top button