The Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Scale

TLDR

The study aimed to provide initial construct validity evidence for the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise (PNSE) scale, a multidimensional instrument aligned with self‑determination theory. Participants in two studies (n₁ = 426; n₂ = 581) completed the PNSE along with proxy measures of need satisfaction. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a robust three‑factor structure for the PNSE, with partial gender invariance, strong internal consistency (α > 0.90), and convergence with proxy measures, indicating the instrument’s psychometric soundness for assessing need satisfaction in exercise contexts.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide initial construct validity evidence for scores derived from the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise (PNSE) scale, a multidimensional instrument designed to measure perceived psychological need satisfaction in line with Deci and Ryanʼs (1985, 2002) self-determination theory (SDT). Participants in two studies ( n 1 = 426; n 2 = 581) completed the PNSE along with proxy measures of need satisfaction. The results of an exploratory factor analysis in Study 1 supported the retention of a 3-factor measurement model underpinning PNSE responses. Confirmatory factor analysis conducted in Study 2 corroborated the tenability of the 3-factor measurement model in males and females and indicated partial support for invariance of PNSE scores across gender. Additionally, the scores on both the PNSE-Competence and PNSE-Relatedness subscales displayed a pattern of convergence with proxy measures. High internal consistency estimates (Cronbach α > 0.90) were observed for all PNSE subscale scores, and participants in both studies reported high levels of need satisfaction in exercise contexts. Overall, the findings suggest that the PNSE displays a number of psychometric characteristics that render the instrument useful for examining psychological need satisfaction in exercise contexts.