Influence of School Bullying on Motivation in Physical Education Classes

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify gender and age differences in motivation toward physical education (PE) and to explore the relationship between bullying roles, in PE and in the educational context in general, and motivation toward PE. A total of 1352 schoolchildren (49.7% girls) from 5th year of Compulsory Primary Education to 1st year of Baccalaureate, completed 3 questionnaires to determine their attitude toward bullying and their motivation toward PE. The findings showed that being a girl and being older provoked a lower self-determined motivation toward PE. Regarding the attitude toward bullying, active defense behavior was a significant predictor of higher self-determined motivation. Conversely, victimization predicted lower self-determined motivation and increased demotivation toward PE. Motivation toward PE is influenced by gender, age, and bullying behavior, underscoring the need to implement programs that promote active defense behaviors and reduce victimization in the educational setting through PE.