title: Perceived variety, psychological needs satisfaction and exercise-related well-being.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Perceived variety represents a psychosocial experience that gives rise to, and supports the maintenance of, an individual's well-being. In this study, we developed an instrument to measure perceived variety in exercise (PVE), and examined whether ratings of PVE predict unique variance in indices of exercise-related well-being in addition to that explained by satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs (for competence, relatedness and autonomy) embedded within self-determination theory (SDT). We also examined the extent to which variance in perceived variety is empirically distinct from (or subsumed by) competence, relatedness and autonomy in the context of exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of community adults (N = 507) completed online surveys twice over a six-week period (n = 367).
  
  
  RESULTS
  PVE was found to prospectively predict unique variance in indices of exercise-related well-being, in addition to that explained by perceived competence, relatedness and autonomy. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic procedures, perceived variety was found to be empirically distinct from perceived competence, relatedness and autonomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this work suggest that perceived variety holds potential for theoretical and applied advancements in understanding and predicting well-being in exercise settings.
authors.affiliation: a School of Kinesiology , The University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Sylvester
authors.forename: Martyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Standage
authors.forename: A Justine
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dowd
authors.forename: Luc J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Shane N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Beauchamp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: basic psychological needs theory; physical activity; variety; well-being