La necesidad de medir la motivación situacional en el contexto español de la educación física: Psicometría de la Situational Motivation Scale

Based on Self-Determination Theory, the primary objective of this work was to compare the factor structure of the different versions proposed (SIMS-16, SIMS-15, SIMS-14 and SIMS-13), as well as to explore the possible sustainability of a new structure for the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS) in the Spanish Physical Education context. The secondary objective was to provide evidences supporting measurement invariance, internal consistency and external validity for the best factor structure identified. A total of 644 Physical Education Post- Compulsory and Compulsory Secondary Education students (344 men y 300 women; M_age = 15.04, SD_age = 1.58) participated. The confirmatory factor analyses did not support psychometrically the different versions (SIMS-16, SIMS-15, SIMS-14 y SIMS-13) found by the previous research for the SIMS. Nevertheless, the findings sustained psychometrically a 12-item 4-factor correlated model, which was invariant across gender and educational level. The correlational analysis supported the instrument's discriminant validity and, in turn, underpinned the selfdetermination continuum. The internal consistency analysis reflected suitable values for each factor. The results of structural equation model supported the tenets of the hierarchical model of intrinsic/ extrinsic motivation. In conclusion, the use of a new factor structure for the Situational Motivation Scale (12-item 4-factor correlated model) was recommended in Physical Education Post-Compulsory and Compulsory Secondary students in the Spanish context.