Psychology of Sport and Exercise 14

Psychology of Sport and Exercise 14 (2013) 329e341

Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v ie r . c o m / l o c a te / p s y c h s p o r t



Validation of the revised sport motivation scale (SMS-II)

Luc G. Pelletier a, *, Meredith A. Rocchi a, Robert J. Vallerand b, Edward L. Deci c, Richard M. Ryan c

a University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 6N5

b Université du Quebec à Montreal, P.O Box 8888, Station Centre Ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3C 3P8

c University of Rochester, 355 Meliora Hall, Rochester 14627, NY, United States



a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:

Received 30 May 2012 Received in revised form 9 December 2012 Accepted 9 December 2012

Available online 25 December 2012

Keywords:

Sport motivation scale

Internalization

Scale validation

Self-determination theory

Integrated regulation



a b s t r a c t

Objectives: Although the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS), published in 1995, has demonstrated validity and reliability in multiple studies, the scale has received some criticisms leading to revisions herein described. The objective of the present studies was to examine the construct validity and reliability of a revised scale sport motivation scale (SMS-II).

Design: Two studies were conducted using distinct samples of athletes. Study 1 examined adult athletes participating in a variety of sports and Study 2 examined youth basketball players and swimmers. Method: In Study 1 the SMS-II was introduced and featured various item content changes, a reduced number of items per subscale, the addition of an integrated regulation subscale, and the introduction of a single intrinsic motivation subscale to replace the three intrinsic motivation subscales in the SMS. Relations of SMS-II subscales with each other and with expected outcomes supported the new scale’s validity. In Study 2, the structure of the SMS-II and its relations with outcomes were further examined. Results: Results of factor analyses, tests for internal consistency, and correlations among the different subscales and between the subscales and several outcomes of interest, supported the validity of the SMS-II.

Conclusions: Discussion focuses on the need for measurement improvement, and potential future directions for SMS-II research.

2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.




Regular play and practice of sport activities is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including increased fitness, increased vitality, increased self-esteem, and reduced serious illness (Bouchard, Blair, & Haskell, 2007; Pelletier, Vallerand, & Sarrazin, 2007). Although most people are aware, to some extent, of the positive outcomes associated with sport activity, many people discontinue their sport participation every year (Sarrazin, Boiché, & Pelletier, 2007). Accordingly, a significant amount of research has been conducted on motivation in sport for the purpose of understanding why some athletes show an enduring desire to pursue their sport, whereas others quit or lose interest.

In the view of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), motivation for sport is a complex phenomenon, with most athletes having multiple motives for engagement. Athletes can be motivated by external factors such as rewards, evaluations, pressure from parents


* Corresponding author. School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, 136 Jean Jacques Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5. Tel.: þ1 613 562 5800/5745; fax: þ1 613 562 5147.

E-mail addresses: luc.pelletier@uottawa.ca (L.G. Pelletier), mrocc029@uottawa.ca (M.A. Rocchi), vallerand.robert_j@uqam.ca (R.J. Vallerand), deci@psych.rochester.edu (E.L. Deci), richard.ryan@ur.rochester.edu (R.M. Ryan).

1469-0292/$ e see front matter 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.12.002




or coaches, or by opinions they believe others may have of them (Ryan & Deci, 2007). They can also be moved by interest, curiosity, and a desire for mastery and improvement. SDT provides a comprehensive framework for understanding both the extrinsic and intrinsic motivations that can maintain sport participation, and how various motives are differently associated with sport engage-ment and the benefits derived from it (Hagger & Chatzisarantis, 2007; Standage & Ryan, 2012; Vallerand, 2007). Intrinsic motiva-tion refers to doing something because it is inherently interesting or enjoyable, and extrinsic motivation refers to doing something as a mean to an end because it leads to a separable outcome (Deci & Ryan, 2000).




Self-determination theory

SDT is a theory of motivation that is built on the organismic assumption that humans have innate tendencies to move in directions of greater self-regulation, competence, and integration in action. These actualizing and integrative processes ar