Structural equation analysis of well being and motivation by perceived autonomy support and basic psychological needs satifaction

The aim of this research was to examine the relations between the support of autonomy received by athlets from coach, psychological needs satisfaction, well being and motivation. Within the scope of the research, firstly Perceived Autonomy Support-Sport Climate Scale (PAS-SCS) (Reinboth et al., 2004) was adapted to Turkish. In the reseach, level of need satisfaction was measured by Basic Psychological Need Satisfation Scale (BNSS) (La Guardia at all, 2000), level of subjective well-being was measured by Life Satisfaction Scale (LSS) (Diener et al., 1985), and Positive Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) (Watson at all, 1986) and the level of motivation wa measured by the Sports Motivation Scale (SMS) (Reinboth at all, 2004). The sample of the reseacrh was consisted of 511 athlets, 193 female and 368 male. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilized for the data analysis. The research revealed that the autonomy support perceived from the athlete's coach is directly related to the satisfaction of psychological needs, subjective well-being and motivation. The results also showed that perceived autonomy support is related to subjective well-being and motivation through psychological needs satisfaction. The t values of all the direct and indirect relations in the model were found to be statistically significant. The research findings reveal that this model, which is formed within the framework of self-determination theory, is valid in sports environment in Turkish society. Key words: Autonomy Support, Need Satisfaction, Subjective Well-Being, Motivation, Self-Determination, Sports, Positive Psychology, Structural Equation Modeling.