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Abstract
Self‐Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985; Ryan & Deci, 2000) suggests that feeling autonomous towards a given behavior is important for mental well‐being. Despite evidence indicating that regular exercise can contribute to well‐being, little is known about the mechanisms involved. Few studies have examined the role of autonomy in exercise on improvement in well‐being. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the link between autonomy for exercise and well‐being in a sample of 769 non‐academic university employees. Questionnaires measuring exercise motivation, life satisfaction, self‐esteem, job‐related affect, physical self‐worth, and physical satisfaction were completed. Multiple regression analyses showed that autonomous motivation significantly predicted most of the well‐being indicators. Hence, health promoters designing interventions to enhance well‐being through exercise could attempt to increase feelings of autonomy in their participants.
