Perceptions of basic psychological needs satisfaction, perceived enjoyment, and perceived effort in physical education among middle school students in Saudi Arabia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Purpose: To examine middle school students' perceptions of basic psychological needs satisfaction, enjoyment, and effort in physical education (PE) in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive-comparative design was employed.Participants were 188 male students aged 11-15 years from four middle schools in Riyadh. Students completed validated measures of autonomy, competence, relatedness, enjoyment, and effort in PE. Results: Students reported high levels of relatedness, competence, enjoyment, and effort, while perceptions of autonomy were comparatively lower. No significant differences were found by nationality or grade level. However, students who participated in two PE lessons per week reported significantly greater psychological needs satisfaction and enjoyment than those receiving one lesson per week. Basic psychological needs satisfaction was positively associated with both enjoyment and effort. Discussion/Conclusion: The findings suggest that PE in Saudi middle schools provides an environment that generally supports students' relatedness and competence and is associated with high levels of enjoyment and effort. Autonomy, however, appears to be less well supported. Greater use of autonomy-supportive teaching practices may enhance students' experiences in PE, strengthen alignment with national curriculum goals, and contribute to the development of positive attitudes toward lifelong physical activity.
Source: Frontiers in Psychology
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: King Saud University
Award: G602733861
OpenAlex ID: W7223027019