Influence of motivational climate in physical education on achievement goals and adolescents' life satisfaction

Abstract

Under the framework of the Achievement Goal Theory and in relation with Self-Determination Theory, the main objective of this work was to predict life satisfaction of physical education (PE) students as a mediator of achievement goals orientation, by means of assessing their perception of in-class motivational climate. A sample of 608 Spanish students of secondary and high school, aged 12 to 17 years old (M = 14.51, DT = 1.46; 55.3% men, 44.7% women) completed a motivational climate in PE scale, an achievement goals orientation 2 x 2 scale, and a satisfaction with life scale. Data analyses consisted of several structural equation models with latent factors. Main results showed a significant and positive relationship between mastery climate and mastery approach orientation, which in turn significantly predicted satisfaction with life. Performance climate was positively related to performance approach orientation, which in turn negatively predicted students’ life satisfaction. Results are discussed in relation to the approach of positive psychology in order to propose teachers the use of specific pedagogical strategies in PE classes.