Harmonious Hustle or Obsessive Grind: Exploring Passion Types, Psychological Needs, and Flow

Abstract Flow state reflects optimal experiences in exercise, which has the potential to facilitate long-term, habitual exercise involvement. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of basic psychological needs and passion on long-term exercisers’ flow experiences. Proximal flow conditions, namely challenge-skills balance, clear goals, and unambiguous feedback, play an important part in the experience of flow. Confirmatory factor analysis showed good to very good fit of the measurement models for psychological needs, passion, and dispositional flow. This path model yielded good fit of the data, S-Bχ² (45, N = 266) = 44.17, p < .001, CFI = .960, SRMR = .044, RMSEA = .086 (90%-CI: .057, .117). Psychological needs significantly predicted exercise flow, this relationship was mediated by harmonious but not obsessive passion. The findings indicate relevance for the development of theoretical and practical work to promote positive experiences in exercise behaviors.