The relationship among teacher controlling behavior, basic psychological needs thwarting and misbehavior in Physical Education classes

According to self-determination theory (SDT), the aim of this study was to examine the relationship model of teachers controlling behavior, basic psychological needs thwarting and misbehavior in physical education classes.

The research was correlational-descriptive with cross-sectional way. A number of 585 male students from secondary schools (age range: 15-17 years old) completed a series of self-reported questionnaires which assess teachers controlling behavior, need thwarting and misbehavior in physical education.

The results of confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, showed that the direct effect of controlling use of praise and rewards, and excessive controlling behavior was negatively and positively significant on misbehavior respectively. In addition, the indirect effect of negative conditional regards and intimidation, via mediating role of needs-thwarting, on misbehavior in physical education was significant.

Overall, these findings suggest that teachers controlling behavior is an important factor in anticipation of student's misbehavior is physical education. Physical education teachers could avoid negative conditional regards, intimidation and excessive controlling behavior, and apply controlling use of praise and rewards, in order to reduce misbehavior in physical education.