Perceived autonomy support, basic needs satisfaction, motivation regulation and well-being : verification of self-determination theory in dancers in Finland

Abstract

Geme, L. 2010. Perceived autonomy support, basic need satisfaction, motivation regulation and well-being: Verification of self-determination theory in dancers in Finland. 2010 University of Jyväskylä. Master Thesis of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Department of Sport Sciences. 84 pages.

Based on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), the main aim of the present study was to examine the relationships between perceptions of autonomy support, perceived basic need satisfaction, motivation regulation, and several indicators of physical and psychological well-being among Finnish dancers. Participants to the study were 101 Finnish professional ballet dancers (m = 35) and dance students (m = 66). All participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire assessing perceived autonomy support (Williams et al., 1996), perceived basic need satisfaction (McAuley et al., 1989; Deci et al., 2001; Scheldon et al., 2001; Richer & Vallerand, 1998), motivation regulation (Lonsdale et al., 2008) and several indicators of physical (Emmons, 1992) and psychological well-being (Marsh et al., 1985; Watson et al., 1988; Raedeke & Smith, 1992). Data was analyzed using Spearman’s bi-variate and Pearson’s product moment correlations, and Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Mplus.

Structural equation modeling showed weak support for the assumed relationships between the measured constructs specified in self-determination theory. Specifically, the findings indicated that the degree to which dancers perceived their dance teachers to be autonomy-supportive significantly predicted the dancers’ perceived sense of autonomy and relatedness. Additionally, perceived satisfaction of the need for autonomy significantly predicted the least autonomous form of autonomous motivation (identified motivation) and one of the indicators of well-being (burnout of reduced accomplishment). However, the findings did not support the hypothesized mediating effects of the basic needs and motivation regulations.

In conclusion it is argued that the findings provided some preliminary evidence of the applicability of self-determination theory to the dance context in Finland, although it is suggested that different dance styles (e.g. ballet and hip hop) and levels of professionalism (e.g. students and professionals) should be more accurately distinguished in the study setup of future studies on self-determination theory in the field of dance.