THE SELF-MOTIVATION INVENTORY MODIFIED FOR CHILDREN - EVIDENCE ON PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES AND ITS USE IN PHYSICAL EXERCISE

A measure of ''self-motivation'' - a tendency to persist in a context lacking extrinsic reinforcement - has sometimes predicted adherence to habitual physical activity and exercise in adults. However the measur ement of self-motivation in children has not been attempted. This pape r therefore, reports research in physical activity contexts on a modif ication of the Self-Motivation Inventory for children (SMI-C). Six stu dies investigating 1,382 subjects from two countries are reported. Alt hough results were variable and require follow-up and replication to v erify trends, it was found with British children that the SMI-C has fa ctorial validity, has acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability, is uncorreclated with a measure of social desirability, a nd has reasonable concurrent and predictive validity. However, its psy chometric properties with a sample of children from Nigeria were weak and suggested that cross-cultural research using the instrument is pre mature.