Analysis of Motivational Profiles on Sportspersonship Orientations in Secondary School Physical Education Students: A Self-Determination Theory-Based Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: This research aimed to examine the possible difference of secondary school students’ motivational profiles on their sportsmanship orientation in physical education. Methods: The participants were 707 (53.61% men; Mage = 14.97, SDage = 1.58) secondary school students, who completed measures on their perception of behavioral regulation and sportsmanship orientation in physical education. A two-step cluster analysis was performed to explore the motivational profiles, and multivariate analysis of variance tests was conducted to examine differences on sportsmanship orientation among motivational profiles. Results: The cluster analysis identified four motivational profiles (controlled, amotivated, high motivational regulation, and autonomous). The multivariate analysis of variance tests found that the students in the four motivational profiles reported different levels in respect for social conventions, respect for rules and teachers, full commitment, and respect for classmates. Discussion/Conclusions: The motivational profiles provided a more comprehensive understanding of the motivational processes for each sportsmanship orientation in secondary school students in physical education.