Basic psychological need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation during leisure: A cross-cultural comparison

We investigated the relationship between satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and/or relatedness and intrinsic motivation during leisure, and how this process was similar and/or different for British/Canadians (N = 259) and Hong Kong Chinese (N = 583) employees. Self-reported, cross-sectional data were collected in English and/or Cantonese and/or Pŭtōnghuà (Mandarin). A hierarchical regression analysis with British/Canadians found, in Step 1, age group negatively, and intrinsic motivation during paid work positively, correlated with intrinsic motivation during leisure. In Step 2, autonomy and competence satisfaction also positively correlated with intrinsic motivation during leisure. A hierarchical regression analysis with Hong Kong Chinese discovered, in Step 1, age group negatively, and intrinsic motivation during paid work positively, correlated with intrinsic motivation during leisure. In Step 2, autonomy and relatedness satisfaction also positively correlated with intrinsic motivation during leisure. These findings are discussed in regard to psychological and leisure theory and organizational and recreation practice.