Social Provisions in the Exercise Setting [SPTES-48]

Description

The Social Provisions in the Exercise Setting (SPTES-48) is a psychometric instrument designed to assess perceived social support within exercise and physical activity environments. It examines how relationships with exercise partners, peers, and other individuals in the exercise setting may influence motivation, participation, and continued involvement in physical activity.

Dimensions

The instrument is based on the Social Provisions framework and assesses key forms of social support, including Attachment, Social Integration, Reassurance of Worth, Reliable Alliance, Opportunity for Nurturance, and Guidance.

These dimensions reflect different ways in which social relationships can provide emotional, practical, and interpersonal support within exercise contexts.

Purpose

The main purpose of the SPTES-48 is to examine how social support in exercise settings is associated with motivation, adherence, enjoyment, and sustained participation in physical activity.

The scale may also be useful for identifying differences between the social support individuals expect or need and the support they actually perceive within an exercise environment.

Scoring and Analysis

Items are typically rated using a Likert-type response format. Scores can be calculated for the individual social provision dimensions and used to create a broader profile of perceived social support.

Statistical analysis may include descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, factor analysis, correlations, group comparisons, and regression models examining the relationship between social support and exercise participation.

Applications

The SPTES-48 can be used in exercise and sport psychology, health promotion, physical activity research, and group exercise settings. It is particularly relevant for studies examining the relationship between social support, exercise motivation, psychological well-being, and long-term adherence to physical activity.

References

Watson, J. D. (2004). Social Provisions in the Exercise Setting. University of Saskatchewan.

Watson, J. D., Spink, K. S., Wilson, K. S., Bruner, M. W., & Bostick, J. M. (2003). Social support in the group exercise setting: Testing the fit of Weiss’s (1974) Model of Social Provisions.

Cutrona, C. E., & Russell, D. W. (1987). The provisions of social relationships and adaptation to stress. Advances in Personal Relationships, 1, 37–67.

Weiss, R. S. (1974). The provisions of social relationships. In Z. Rubin (Ed.), Doing Unto Others (pp. 17–26). Prentice Hall.