Predicting physical activity intentions using a goal perspectives approach: a study of Hungarian youth

Utilising a goal perspectives framework, a study predicting physical activi ty intentions in 12 to 16-year-old Hungarian adolescents was conducted with two samples. Theoretical predictions established a model that was tested t hrough path analysis. Beliefs thought to underpin goal orientations were hy pothesised to predict ego orientation (general and gift beliefs) and task o rientation (learning and incremental beliefs). Task orientation was hypothe sised to predict intentions directly, while ego orientation was hypothesise d to predict intentions indirectly through perceived competence. Results fr om the first sample (n=301) suggested that the model could be improved by a dding paths between general beliefs and perceived competence and between ta sk orientation and perceived competence. This modified model was shown to f it data from a second sample (n=422) very well. Multi-group analysis confir med a good fit and so the two samples were combined. The model fitted the d ata well for the total sample (n=723), Overall, results showed that 20.8% o f the variance in intentions was explained by the model, and that sport abi lity beliefs were moderately associated with task orientation but only weak ly associated with ego orientation. The motivational importance of a task o rientation was confirmed with its direct prediction of intentions.