Influence of Internal and External Controlling Teaching Behaviors on Students’ Motivational Outcomes in Physical Education: Is There a Gender Difference?

Purpose : Grounded in self-determination theory, this study examined gender latent mean differences students’ perceptions of externally and internally controlling teaching behaviors, basic psychological need frustration, controlled motivation, amotivation, oppositional defiance the physical education context. Moreover, it analyzed differentiated role that internal external behaviors play on these theory-related variables among girls boys. Method A sample 1,118 students ( M age = 14.11 ± 1.50; 50.9% girls) participated research. multigroup structural equation modeling approach was used to respond research questions. Results Analyses revealed reported more maladaptive outcomes most than Although teachers were positively related outcomes, correlate differently between boys girls. Conclusion Findings highlight importance reducing both genders, but particularly