Motivation and morality in Masters athletes: A self-determination theory perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between motivational regulations and prosocial and antisocial behaviour in Masters sport. Participants were 147 Masters athletes (76 females; 71 males; mean age = 46.18 years) from four team sports (netball, n = 51; soccer, n = 45; basketball, n = 31; and ice hockey, n = 20) who completed questionnaires measuring their motivation regulations and prosocial and antisocial behaviour. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that, in partial support of the first of two hypotheses, autonomous motivation was positively associated with prosocial behaviour towards both teammates and opponents. These results have important implications for understanding the motives for physical activity and provide a greater insight into the antecedents and effects of moral behaviour among mid-life and older adults.

Keywords:

• autonomous motivation
• controlled motivation
• prosocial behaviour
• antisocial behaviour
• social relationships