The Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS): a new scale to assess motivation among military cadets from a self-determination theory perspective

Self-determination theory (SDT) hypothesizes a multi-factor structure of motivation distinguishing between amotivation, extrinsic motivation (in turn consisting of external regulation, identified regulation, and introjected regulation), and intrinsic motivation. The purpose of the present paper is to introduce the Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS), a short and reliable instrument for assessing the aforementioned types of motivation among military cadets. Two representative samples of military cadets completed the MAMS. In Study 1 (N = 452), the hypothesized five-factor structure of the MAMS was supported. In Study 2 (N = 1,372) the five-factor structure of the MAMS was confirmed. Furthermore, measurement invariance was attested across both gender and cohorts. Finally, the external validity of the MAMS factors was supported by looking at their correlations with important organizational outcomes, such as work engagement, organizational commitment, job performance, extra-role behaviors, burnout, and intention to quit. Overall, results attested good psychometric properties for the MAMS.