The relationship between perceived sports competence and motivational orientations in Hong Kong secondary school context

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Tsang, E.C.K., 2006. The relationship between perceived sports competence and motivational orientations in Hong Kong secondary school context. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

The role of competence in physical education (PE) is an important cue in the decision of participation (Caroll & Loumidis, 2001; Duda at al., 1981; Klint & Weiss, 1987; Weiss et al., 1986). In Hong Kong, the government also proposed that physical competence was one of the learning targets in PE (Curriculum Development Council, 2002). The purpose of this research project was to study children's sport and PE participation by focusing on perceived sports competence as suggested in Harter's competence motivation theory (1978, 1981). The study also included the assessment of other related factors such as intrinsic/extrinsic motivational orientation, task/ego goal orientation and level of competitive trait anxiety. Initial phases of the research involved the translation and validation of several relevant instruments utilised for this research project, including, the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985), Sport Motivation Scale (SMS; Pelletier et al, 1995), Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ; Duda & Nicholls, 1989) and Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT; Martens, Vealey & Burton, 1990). Two validation studies and a pilot study were conducted to determine validity and reliability of the instruments and to ensure the opportunity to observe the possible relationships and interaction among different motivational variables. The main study was conducted with 2,202 participants from eleven schools of Secondary One (Grade 7), Two (Grade 8) and Three (Grade 9), with a mean age of 13.55 years (SD - 2.15). There was a proportional distribution of males (n = 1,056) and females (n - 1,130). Descriptive statistics were used to generalise the characteristics of the sample. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to assess differences between subgroups. Coefficients of correlation were calculated to examine the relationships between different motivational attributes. Finally, path analysis using EQS was performed to identify the structure of relationships between different attributes. The results revealed that males perceived themselves more competent and had greater enjoyment than females, indicating that they may be more likely to participate in sport and physical activities. Also, it was found that motivation to participate in sport and physical activities decreases with age, and having some regular form of participation was most beneficial in terms of motivation towards sport participation. The relationships between perceived sport competence and other motivational attributes were mostly in accordance with Harter's competence motivation theory such that analyses demonstrated significant, modest, positive relationships with intrinsic motivation (r = .24, p < .01) and extrinsic motivation (r = .24,p < .01), and negative relationships with anxiety (r = -.26, p < .01) and amotivation (r = -.16, p< .01). The relationship with task goal orientation was significant but weak (r = .12, p < .01). Further examination with path analysis showed that task goal orientation was related to perceived competence through the mediating effect of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. By understanding how these factors affect children's decisions to continue or discontinue participation in PE and sport activities, and how these factors interact with each other, recommendations were made concerning the school PE curriculum and implementation of sport programmes in Hong Kong.

Item Type:

Thesis

Creators:

Tsang, E.C.K.

Date:

2006

ISBN:

9781369314779

Identifiers: