Examining the relationship between children's active play imagery and basic psychological needs

Abstract

The present study examined relationships between the three types of active play imagery (fun, capability, and social) and the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). A total of 253 children (118 males; 134 females; 1 missing) aged 7–14 years old (M_age = 10.35, SD = 2.26) completed the Children's Active Play Imagery Questionnaire and the Basic Needs Questionnaire for Children. Results of the structural equation modelling analysis revealed that capability imagery was positively related to the need for competence, social imagery was positively related to the need for relatedness, and fun imagery was positively associated with the need for competence. The results from this study suggest that imagery can serve a motivating role in children's active play.

Keywords:

• active play
• imagery
• self-determination theory
• structural equation modelling

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant awarded to Drs Krista Munroe-Chandler and Craig Hall.