“It’s like feeling everyone will be looking at you, but in reality, no one cares.” A qualitative visual methods study exploring adolescent males’ relatedness in physical activity

The basic psychological need of relatedness in physical activity (PA) is key to keeping adolescent males active into adulthood. This qualitative research study, framed by self-determination theory, aimed to discover how relatedness affects adolescent males’ motivations to be active and how their masculine identities affect their perceived relatedness in PA spaces. Photo elicitation interviews (PEIs) were conducted with 13 adolescent males in two phases: (1) researcher-led PEIs and (2) participant-led PEIs. In Phase 1, the researcher shared photos of PA to initiate conversation, and in Phase 2, participants were encouraged to take photographs of what motivates or amotivates them to be active, which were discussed in the second PEIs. Reflexive thematic analysis produced five themes: (1) How positive peer relatedness affects adolescent males’ motivations to be active, (2) How positive adult relatedness affects adolescent males’ motivations to be active, (3) How negative peer relationships affect adolescent males’ motivations to be active, (4) How adolescent males perceived relatedness in PA is affected by adolescence and masculine identities, and (5) How negative peer relationships of adolescent males leads to vulnerability in PA spaces. Social connections with peers were a key driver of intrinsic motivation to be active, whereas perceived peer judgment and poor relatedness triggered changes in or avoidance of PA. Participants experienced pressure to conform to hegemonic masculine traits, and comparisons of physique and muscularity were common. To ensure all adolescent males experience relatedness in PA, we need to create inclusive and supportive environments which accept and celebrate all forms of masculine identity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)