The German Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction in Physical Education Scale: Adaption and Multilevel Validation in a Sample of Sixth-Grade Girls

• Main Authors: David J. Sturm, Joachim Bachner, Stephan Haug, Yolanda Demetriou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: self-determination theory; basic psychological need satisfaction; questionnaire; multilevel validation; physical activity
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/5/1554

(1) Background: Self-determination theory (SDT) claims that need supportive behavior is related to the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs: autonomy, relatedness and competence. The student−teacher relationship is of special interest to understand mechanisms of physical activity behavior change in physical education (PE). (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 481 girls answered a German version of the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction (BPNS) in PE Scale. Contrary to previous studies, the psychometric properties of this scale were examined by multilevel confirmatory factor analysis. (3) Results: A model with three latent factors on both levels showed acceptable fit and all items showed significant factor loadings. Although one item was excluded due to psychometric reasons, the scale showed good internal consistencies; α = 0.85 at the individual level and α = 0.84 at the class level. Subscales’ internal consistency at the individual levels was good, while at class level, the scores differed from poor to good. Small significant correlations of BPNS with moderate to vigorous physical activity support criterion validity. (4) Conclusion: The 11-item scale is a valid measurement tool to assess BPNS in PE and further application in the school setting would broaden the insights into the psychological impacts of SDT in PE.