Validity and reliability evidence for the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale among Spanish secondary school students in physical education

Authors

  • Ginés David López García Department of Language, Arts and Sport Didactics, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain / Faculty of Education, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain / Department of Education, University of Almeria, Almería, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7761-0865
  • Francisco Javier Gil Espinosa Department of Language, Arts and Sport Didactics, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8845-4060
  • Rafael Burgueño Menjibar Department of Language, Arts and Sport Didactics, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2354-0037

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68574/sportk.424

Keywords:

Self-Determination Theory, Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness, Need-Based Experiences

Abstract

The present study aimed to adapt the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale to the Spanish Physical Education (PE) context and to provide validity and reliability evidence for use among secondary school students. A purposive sample of 1,604 secondary school students (831 boys, 51.8%; 761 girls, 47.4%; and 12 with missing gender information, 0.7%; mean age = 15.01, SD = 1.32) participated in this cross-sectional study. The students received two mandatory 60-minute coeducational physical education (PE) lessons per week. Convergent validity was met with average variance extracted values ranging from .50 to .65. Discriminant validity was established with latent correlations ranging from -.54 to .78, and from -.53 to .82 for the heterotrait–monotrait ratio of correlations. Internal consistency was supported by acceptable Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and Raykov’s rho values for six primary-order factors, and by satisfactory coefficient scores for the two hierarchical factors. Temporal stability was met through intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from .70 to .85. Structural equation analyses provided criterion validity evidence, showing positive relationships between need satisfaction and autonomous motivation, and between need frustration with controlled motivation and amotivation. The Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale has been shown to be a valid and reliable instrument for measuring secondary school students’ perceptions of need satisfaction and need frustration in the Spanish physical education (PE) context.

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Published

30-09-2026

How to Cite

López García, G. D., Gil Espinosa, F. J., & Burgueño Menjibar, R. (2026). Validity and reliability evidence for the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale among Spanish secondary school students in physical education. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 15, 95. https://doi.org/10.68574/sportk.424

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