Goal Content, Psychological Needs, Well-Being, and Motivation: Self-Determination Theory in Exercise Settings

Identifying the factors that influence exercise participation and behavior is essential for increasing and sustaining leisure-time physical activity. To achieve this, valid and reliable questionnaires are necessary. This study adapted the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire into Turkish and explored the relationships between goal content, well-being, motivation, and basic psychological needs among adult exercisers. In the validation study, 524 male and female adult exercisers from various sports centers in Izmir, Turkey participated ( M age = 27.60, SD  = 7.87). In Study 2, 682 adult exercisers ( M age = 27.60, SD  = 7.66) completed a set of measures examining goal content, well-being, motivation types, and basic psychological needs. The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Goal Content for Exercise Questionnaire confirmed that the tool is suitable for use with Turkish-speaking individuals engaged in exercise. Results from Study 2 revealed that individuals' exercise participation goals are related to well-being, motivation types, and basic psychological needs. Specifically, intrinsic goals, such as skill development, social connectedness, and health management, were linked to intrinsic motivation sub-dimensions, while extrinsic goals, such as appearance and social recognition, were associated with extrinsic motivation sub-dimensions. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the factors that shape exercise behavior, which is essential for creating effective exercise environments and encouraging greater participation in physical activity. By examining the connections between exercise goals, motivation, psychological well-being, and basic psychological needs, we can design more supportive and engaging settings for exercisers.