Perceived autonomy support, need satisfaction, autonomus motivation and perceived sport competence: their links to persistence, harmonic passion, involvement and performance

Based on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Vallerand, 1999) we tested a hypothetical model in which coaches? autonomy support was expected to be positively related to intrinsic need satisfaction among students (N = 190) involved in sport and physical activity, which would in turn be positively associated with their autonomous motivation and perceived competence, which would in turn be positively associated with per-sistence, harmonic passion, involvement and performance in their favorite activity. We also examined whether intrinsic need satisfaction would mediate the positive relations between autonomy support and percieved sport competence and autonomous motivation, respectively; and perceived sport competence would mediate the posi-tive relations between autonomous motivation and, respectively, persistence, harmonic passion, involvement and performance. Finally, we examined the fit of the overall models with structural equation modeling. Results sup-ported all predictions.