Purpose in life and personal growth: The unique and joint contribution of physical activity and basic psychological needs. Issue 3 (2nd February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Teas, Elizabeth; Friedman, Elliot; Amireault, Steve
• Is Part Of: Applied psychology. Volume 14:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 795
• Page End: 818
• Publication Date: 2022-02-02
• Subjects: aging -- basic psychological needs -- exercise -- self‐determination theory -- well‐being; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Well-being -- Periodicals; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Health -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Psychologie appliquée -- Périodiques; Bien-être -- Périodiques; 616.0019
• DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12347
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-0846

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined if physical activity (PA) and self‐determination theory's basic psychological needs directly or interactively predict older adults' eudaimonic well‐being. Participants aged ≥55 years completed five online surveys. At baseline (T1 ), participants ( N = 430) reported on autonomy, competence, and relatedness experienced during PA. PA was assessed prospectively using the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (recall period = 7 days) for four consecutive weeks (T2, T3, T4, and T5 ); weekly PA scores were averaged. At T5, purpose in life and personal growth were measured using Ryff's scales of psychological well‐being. In regression analyses, PA was associated with purpose in life for those reporting low relatedness ( b = .04, p = .02). Competence was associated with purpose in life only for those high in relatedness ( b = .34, p < .001). Autonomy was positively associated with personal growth for those who also reported high competence. Multiple imputation analyses ( N = 430) and sensitivity analyses ( n = 304) yielded findings consistent with those from complete cases ( n = 182). Encouraging older people to move more may not be sufficient to confer well‐being. It may be necessary to help people engage in activities that support their basic psychological needs.