In this study we investigated the validity of the Motivational Orientation in Sport Scale (MOSS) with Australian girls and boys (N = 379). Also, we examined gender and grade differences in motivational orientation in sport. With the exception of the curiosity subscale, a preliminary factor analysis demonstrated agreement with the factor structure of the MOSS. However, separate factor analyses for boys and girls indicated that only three of the five subscales (challenge, mastery and criteria) are relatively stable for studies with Australian girls and boys. The MANOVA revealed significant effects of gender and grade. Follow-up ANOVAs showed significant gender differences with girls who were more extrinsically oriented towards sport than boys on challenge, mastery and criteria. There also were significant grade effects for challenge and mastery. Our findings demonstrate both acceptability and the limitations of employing the MOSS with Australian children.
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