Self-determination Theory Concepts Research Articles

Modeling college EFL teachers' intentions to conduct academic research: Integrating theory of planned behavior with self-determination theory.

This study constructed a robust theoretical model aimed at elucidating the determinants that shape college EFL teachers' research intentions by integrating the tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) with Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). This model was empirically validated using data from 271 EFL teachers from eight colleges in China, selected through stratified sampling and collected via paper questionnaires, then analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings underscore the instrumental roles of both autonomous and controlled motivations in driving research-related behaviors, thereby reinforcing the foundational concepts of SDT. Additionally, this study provides intricate insights into the mechanisms wherein motivation steers immediate determinants of research intention, encompassing attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. This melding of SDT and TPB offers an all-encompassing perspective on the multifaceted nexus between motivation and research intentions. Consequently, this refined model not only marks a pivotal stride in advancing teacher education theory but also establishes a guiding framework for forthcoming research and interventions, accentuating the imperative of fostering research intentions among college EFL educators.

Impact of Social Media Influencers to promote Healthy Lifestyle behaviour: A Review from the Self-Determination Approach

Purpose: Malaysia as a rapidly developing country is now immersed in the current technology that makes people less active due to the use of modern equipment such as machines, remote controls, and push-button technology. Coronary heart disease, cancer, and stroke are examples of non-communicable diseases that are closely related to a sedentary lifestyle.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The trend of social media influencers such as celebrities, fitness coaches, and health professionals as agents of healthy lifestyles showed positive impacts. The approach in this study will analyze the secondary existing literature on the impact of social media influencers on their followers to change their behavior through the content they create, sharing knowledge and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle.
 Findings: The conceptual framework was developed based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to predict an individual’s health behaviors and attraction to follow social media influencers in social media networking.
 Implications/Originality/Value: This study examined whether SDT concepts (basic psychological needs and
 autonomous motivation) were associated with engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors among social media users

Learning from complex elderly care: a qualitative study on motivating residents in family medicine

BackgroundMore and more patients need complex care, especially the elderly. For various reasons, this is becoming increasingly difficult. The onus is essentially on family physicians to provide this care and family medicine residency programs should therefore prepare their residents for this task. We know from self-determination theory (SDT) that motivation plays a key role in learning and that in order to boost motivation, fulfillment of 3 basic psychological needs - for autonomy, competence, and relatedness – is crucial. As residents often lack motivation, residency programs face the important challenge to motivate them to learn about and engage in complex elderly care. How to do so, however, is not yet sufficiently understood.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative multi-institutional case study across four universities in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the period between June, 2015, and May, 2019, we triangulated information from semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and observations of educational moments. Guided by SDT concepts, the analysis was performed iteratively by a multidisciplinary team, using ATLAS.ti, version 8. In this process, we gained more insights into residents’ motivation to learn complex elderly care.ResultsWe scrutinized 1,369 document pages and 4 films, observed 34 educational moments, and held 41 semi-structured interviews. Although we found all the 3 basic psychological needs postulated by SDT, each seemed to have its own challenges. First, a tension between the need to guide residents and to encourage their independent learning complicated fulfillment of the need for autonomy. Second, the unpredictability of complex care led to reduced feelings of competence. Yet, guidelines and models could help residents to capture and apprehend its complexity. And third, family medicine practice, patients, and educational practice, by either satisfying or thwarting the need for relatedness, were identified as key mediators of motivation. By setting the right example and encouraging residents to discuss authentic dilemmas and switch their health care approach from cure to care, educators can boost their motivation.ConclusionOur study has demonstrated that the degree of perceived autonomy, guidance by the education program, use of authentic dilemmas, as well as involvement of group facilitators can aid the process of motivation.Trial registrationNVMO, ERB number 482.

Impact of Social Media Influencers to Promote Healthy Lifestyle behavior: A Review from the Self-Determination Approach

Purpose: Malaysia as a rapidly developing country is now immersed in the current technology that makes people less active due to the use of modern equipment such as machines, remote controls, and push-button technology. Coronary heart disease, cancer, and stroke are examples of non-communicable diseases that are closely related to a sedentary lifestyle.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The trend of social media influencers such as celebrities, fitness coaches, and health professionals as agents of healthy lifestyles showed positive impacts. The approach in this study will analyze the secondary existing literature on the impact of social media influencers on their followers to change their behavior through the content they create, sharing knowledge and skills to lead a healthy lifestyle.
 Findings: The conceptual framework was developed based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to predict an individual’s health behaviors and attraction to follow social media influencers in social media networking.
 Implications/Originality/Value: This study examined whether SDT concepts (basic psychological needs and
 autonomous motivation) were associated with engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors among social media users.

Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivational Factors on Employee Participation in Internal Crowdsourcing Initiatives in China

The concept of crowdsourcing, categorized into internal and external crowdsourcing, emerged relatively recently. Internal crowdsourcing gained increasing popularity in Chinese organizations. Based on the self-determination theory (SDT), this study advances the theoretical understanding of the effects of employee motivation antecedents (the three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness) on participation effort in internal crowdsourcing activities. Through an online survey, 435 employees in information technology organizations in southern China completed the questionnaires which used for statistical analysis and hypotheses testing. It was found that the three basic psychological needs significantly positively impacted employees’ intrinsic motivation, with autonomy having the most significant effect. Furthermore, only the needs for autonomy and competence were significantly positively associated with extrinsic motivation. A positive relation was observed between intrinsic motivation and employee participation effort in internal crowdsourcing. Although no direct relationship was revealed between extrinsic motivation and employee participation effort, an indirect effect of extrinsic motivation on employee participation via intrinsic motivation was observed, which aligned with one of the main concepts of SDT, the internalization process of extrinsic to intrinsic motivation. Accordingly, the SDT model is applicable to information technology organizations in China based on the findings of this study.

Socially induced motivation in learning: coping with digital interaction in higher education under the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a total digital disruption of all activities at universities. New digital tools and arenas replaced the daily physical interactions between students and professors. How did this affect motivation and learning outcomes? This article uses the pandemic as a prism to understand how and why social relations and interaction are important in the educational system. Data were obtained from 26 informants in two case studies (study programs). A total of 12 in-depth interviews with employees and 4 group interviews with 14 students were performed at Oslo University during the pandemic (2020–2021). We explore an alternative understanding of social ties in relation to the educational process and the importance of social interaction in sensemaking and self-determination theory concepts. As digital disruption creates a social disconnect for most actors, it becomes prevalent that social activity, both formal and informal, seems to be an important source of motivation for both students and faculty members at the university. We introduce the concept of socially induced motivation as an important aspect of learning. The tendencies in the informants’ accounts of the social interaction are perceived in this context as sensemaking the university as an organization and how it solves its missions and assignments. Socially induced motivation is an important concept, both in relation to work in general and specifically to work in higher education. Our study shows why universities should strive to facilitate socially induced motivation in the future.

Motivational Strategies and Concepts to Increase Participation and Adherence in Cardiac Rehabilitation: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW.

Low participation and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR) leads to ineffective care and increased risk of cardiac complications. There is a need to identify effective motivational strategies and concepts to increase participation and adherence to CR. The aim of this review was to synthesize and integrate the current knowledge about motivational strategies and concepts to increase participation and adherence to CR. A literature search was performed using five electronic databases: CINAHL, Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Source. The search was limited to peer-reviewed studies, written in English, and publications from 2010 to 2019. A matrix and narrative synthesis were employed to organize and synthesize the findings, respectively. Eight of 522 articles met the inclusion criteria. Four articles used motivational interviewing (MotI) and counseling strategy, three articles investigated the autonomy, competence, and relatedness of self-determination theory (SDT) concepts, and one article used a reinforced motivational strategy. Use of MotI led to improving the CR completion rate from 14% to 39%. The number of sessions attended/patient improved from 12 to 20 when the staff was provided attendance feedback and a reward. Autonomy, competence, and relatedness motivated patients to participate in and adhere to CR. Motivational interviewing and counseling, motivational and reinforcement strategies, and the autonomy, competence, and relatedness of SDT concepts should be utilized to promote participation and motivation for CR. The effects of these techniques on long-term CR require further research, including combining the identified methods to investigate the efficacy of these techniques on CR adherence.

Procedural skill maintenance: Perspectives and motivations of pediatric emergency medicine faculty.

Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians receive training in critical procedures, but these procedures are rare in practice. The literature on maintenance of procedural skills focuses on ways to practice (e.g., via simulation) and pays little attention to motivation's role. Understanding what motivates PEM physicians to maintain procedural skills can inform the design of supportive policies and interventions. Our study explores how PEM physicians conceptualize maintenance of procedural skills, what motivates them to maintain procedural skills, and barriers to procedural skill maintenance. This was a qualitative study of 12 PEM faculty guided by the self-determination theory (SDT) of motivation. SDT describes a typology that distinguishes extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, with intrinsic motivation based on autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Interviews were transcribed and coded using constant-comparative technique, and interviews continued until thematic sufficiency was achieved. Participants had difficulty defining procedural skill maintenance by specific criteria and expressed ambivalence about external standards for competence, noting the need to account for individual and local practice factors. Three themes characterizing participants' motivation for procedural skills maintenance included: (1) desire to provide optimal patient care and fear of unsuccessful performance (competence), (2) procedural competence as part of the identity of a PEM physician who teaches and performs procedures (competence and relatedness), and (3) desire for accessibility and choice of options in maintaining procedural skills (autonomy). Participants identified lack of opportunities, time, and support as barriers to motivation and skills maintenance. SDT concepts were integral to understanding faculty motivation, and this highlights the need for prioritizing faculty autonomy, competence, and relatedness in designing supports for procedural skill maintenance. Our findings regarding the difficulty in defining maintenance of skills emphasize the need for further discussion and study of this topic.

Exercise Experience of Elderly Medicaid Beneficiaries with Osteoarthritis Based on Self-Determination Theory

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic disease among elders, and it crucially requires self-management. This study aimed to qualitatively examine exercise experiences of elderly Medicaid beneficiaries with osteoarthritis receiving exercise intervention based on self-determination theory (SDT).Methods: Eight elders who received a community-based exercise intervention were interviewed three times. Using the interview transcriptions and field notes, researchers conducted an interpretative phenomenological analysis based on SDT to explore the motivational process of exercise compliance.Results: Three meaningful profiles (non-compliant, intermitter, and compliant) were identified along with satisfaction with needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) that motivate exercise compliance based on SDT. Compliance of exercise is primarily initiated by external regulation and followed by the internalization process of recognizing and accepting the value of the behavior.Conclusions: The concepts of SDT could be used to explore factors associated with motivation and gradual behavior change among elderly Medicaid beneficiaries with osteoarthritis. Autonomy, competence, relatedness, external regulation, and identified regulation control may be applied to establish a strategy that promotes behavior change by satisfying the psychological needs and internalizing the behavior of these elders.

A Self-Determination Theory Approach to Work Motivation of Autistic Adults: A Qualitative Exploratory Study.

The study explores work motivation of autistic adults through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Twelve autistic employees (ages 28–47; 3 females) participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews about their work experience. Analysis combined inductive and deductive approaches, identifying motivational themes emerging from the interviews, and analyzing them according to SDT concepts. Two major themes emerged: (1) work motivation factors positioned on the self-determination continuum: income and self-reliance; a daily routine; social/familial internalized norms; meaning and contribution; and job interest; and (2) satisfaction of psychological needs at work, postulated by SDT: competence, social-relatedness, and autonomy and structure. Findings are discussed in relation to current literature, and practical applications are suggested for meeting the motivational needs of autistic employees and promoting employment stability.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10803-021-05185-4.

Measuring self-regulation after nutrition education modules with Self Determination Theory (SDT) intervention among teachers with or at Risk Metabolic Syndrome

ObjectiveThis study aims to measure changes in autonomy in groups that have been given nutrition education by applying the SDT concept. MethodsThe non-randomized pre-post intervention study design involved 63 teachers in the intervention group and 60 teachers in the control group. Nutrition education by applying the SDT concept and measurement is carried out using the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TRSQ). ResultsThe results showed that there was a significant change in support autonomy in the intervention group (p=0.034) and not in the control group. Controlled variables and amotivation did not show significant differences in the two groups, but changes for the better occurred in the intervention group. ConclusionThe application of the SDT concept can increase support for autonomy. This is expected to support sustainable behavior change.

Using self-determination theory to predict self-management and HRQoL in moderate-to-severe COPD

ABSTRACT Objective: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term condition that detrimentally affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with self-management proposed as an effective treatment. Using self-determination theory (SDT), this research explored psychological need satisfaction, frustration, and behavioural regulation to explain indicators of self-management. Design and Main Outcome Measures: Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based methods in people on a pulmonary rehabilitation waiting-list. 72 participants completed SDT, HRQoL, and self-management knowledge questionnaires. Path analyses investigated the ability of SDT concepts to predict self-management knowledge and HRQoL. Results: Chi-square tests found no significant differences (χ2(13, N=72) = 16.7, p > 0.05) between the just – and over-identified models, and multiple measures suggested an acceptable fit to the data. Relatedness frustration positively predicted controlled regulation and autonomy and relatedness satisfaction positively predicted autonomous regulation. The associations between the other needs and the different regulation types were not statistically significant. Both regulation types strongly predicted HRQoL (35% variance explained) and self-management knowledge (22% variance explained). Conclusion: SDT concepts can predict more self-determined self-management regulation, self-management knowledge, and HRQoL and provide a framework for researchers and healthcare professionals to develop future health interventions for people with COPD. Greater research is needed to understand basic psychological need frustration in health contexts.

Learning within sustainable educational innovation: An analysis of teachers\u2019 perceptions and leadership practice

Innovative initiatives in education often have problems with their sustainability. The present study focuses on three educational innovations that have proved to be sustainable over time. We used a qualitative research approach to study and identify essential features of sustainable educational innovation. Two theoretical frameworks were used to guide the study: the integrated model for sustainable innovation (IMSI) and self-determination theory (SDT). Both frameworks take a different perspective upon learning; IMSI presents learning at the individual level, the team level and the organizational level to be the heart of sustainable innovation, and SDT presents how learning can be improved. The research question focused upon how the SDT concepts of autonomy, competence and relatedness were perceived within sustainable innovation, expressed by the IMSI framework, by teachers and school leaders. Based on our findings we demonstrate that the framework of IMSI and SDT can effectively be applied as a frame of analysis to identify essential features of sustainability in educational innovations and we discuss how concepts of SDT deepen the knowledge of sustainable educational innovation.

Improved Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Balanced Nutrition after Educational Intervention Based on the Self-determination Theory: An Intervention Study in Senior School Teachers in Makassar City

BACKGROUND: Studies linking the association of nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) with healthy behavior have been well established. However, the method to effectively deliver nutrition education to a particular population, especially middle-income population, was less studied.
 AIM: This study aimed to examine the effects of school-based nutrition using the self-determination theory (SDT) on nutrition KAP of the senior secondary schoolteacher with metabolic syndrome risk.
 METHODS: This study was a non-randomized pre-post intervention study conducted in eight senior secondary schools in Makassar City. The intervention group received a balanced nutrition package either delivered through modules, balance sheet (calendar), or physical activity poster for 4 months. The control group received a pamphlet that has been developed by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia.
 RESULTS: A total of 123 respondents (63 respondents) intervention and (60 respondent) control group completed post-test and were included in the analysis. There were increase knowledge, attitude, and practice in both groups, but increasing in the intervention group was a significant relationship compared to the control group (knowledge p < 0.001 and practice = 0.007).s
 CONCLUSIONS: Delivering nutrition education using SDT concept can potentially improve the knowledge and practices of the teachers about balanced nutrition. The government may adopt the SDT approach when designing the nutrition education program with specific targets.

The applicability of self-determination theory to health coaching: a qualitative analysis of patient experiences

ABSTRACT To examine the fit between core concepts of self-determination theory and patient experiences with health coaching, 18 participants at one large United States Veterans Affairs medical centre completed semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews (40–60 min) about their experiences with health coaching. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, and self-determination theory concepts (autonomy, competence, relatedness, and self-integration) were applied to the data. Participant descriptions of their experiences with health coaching were consistent with the process of motivation and goal attainment proposed by self-determination theory. Participants felt the programme supported their sense of autonomy by helping them select goals that were important to them and recognising their ownership over outcomes. Competence was described as the ‘confidence’ to tackle any challenge and relatedness was discussed as a consistently strong rapport with the health coach. Participants spoke to self-integration by discussing their ability to maintain behaviour change beyond the coaching programme, with some explicitly making the connection between behaviours and their values and life purpose. This study provides initial support for the use of self-determination theory as a theoretical basis of health coaching. Support for patient autonomy, competence, and relatedness may be important components of health coaching practice.

Applying self-determination theory to understand the motivational impact of cash rewards: New evidence from lab experiments.

We investigated, based on self-determination theory (SDT), the impact of the functional meaning of monetary rewards on individuals' motivation and performance and further tested the role of the psychological needs as the underlying mechanism. In two experimental studies, we show that when presented in an autonomy-supportive way, rewards lead participants to experience greater intrinsic motivation, which leads them to perform better, than when monetary rewards are presented in a controlling way. This is mediated by greater psychological need satisfaction, indicating that through greater feelings of competence, autonomy, and relatedness, individuals experience greater intrinsic motivation for the task at hand. Our findings suggest that rewards can have a distinct effect on individuals' motivation and performance depending on whether they take on an autonomy-supportive or controlling meaning, thus providing empirical evidence for the theoretical and practical implications of SDT's concept of functional meaning of rewards. By highlighting the importance of this concept, this research contributes to our understanding of the effectiveness of such rewards in the workplace, suggesting that they can foster employee motivation and performance if organisations present them to employees in an autonomy-supportive way to convey an informational meaning and positively contribute to their psychological need stisfaction.

Care Team Perspectives and Acceptance of Telehealth in Scaling a Home-Based Primary Care Program: Qualitative Study.

BackgroundNovel and sustainable approaches to optimizing home-based primary care (HBPC) programs are needed to meet the medical needs of a growing number of homebound older adults in the United States. Telehealth may be a viable option for scaling HBPC programs.ObjectiveThe purpose of this qualitative study was to gain insight into the perspectives of HBPC staff regarding adopting telehealth technology to increase the reach of HBPC to more homebound patients.MethodsWe collected qualitative data from HBPC staff (ie, physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, care managers, social workers, and medical coordinators) at a practice in the New York metropolitan area through 16 semistructured interviews and three focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically using the template analysis approach with Self-Determination Theory concepts (ie, relatedness, competence, and autonomy) as an analytical lens.ResultsFour broad themes—pros and cons of scaling, technology impact on staff autonomy, technology impact on competence in providing care, and technology impact on the patient-caregiver-provider relationship—and multiple second-level themes emerged from the analysis. Staff acknowledged the need to scale the program without diminishing effective patient-centered care. Participants perceived alerts generated from patients and caregivers using telehealth as potentially increasing burden and necessitating a rapid response from an already busy staff while increasing ambiguity. However, they also noted that telehealth could increase efficiency and enable more informed care provision. Telehealth could enhance the patient-provider relationship by enabling caregivers to be an integral part of the patient’s care team. Staff members raised the concern that patients or caregivers might unnecessarily overutilize the technology, and that some home visits are more appropriate in person rather than via telehealth.ConclusionsThese findings suggest the importance of considering the perspectives of medical professionals regarding telehealth adoption. A proactive approach exploring the benefits and concerns professionals perceive in the adoption of health technology within the HBPC program will hopefully facilitate the optimal integration of telehealth innovations.

Learning climate and feedback as predictors of dental students' self-determined motivation: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction.

The aim of this study was to test the mediating role of the satisfaction of dental students' basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness on the association between learning climate, feedback and student motivation. The latter was based on the self-determination theory's concepts of differentiation of autonomous motivation, controlled motivation and amotivation. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted where 924 students completed self-reported questionnaires measuring motivation, perception of the learning climate, feedback and basic psychological needs satisfaction. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha scores and bivariate correlations were computed. Mediation of basic needs on each predictor-outcome association was tested based on a series of regression analyses. Finally, all variables were integrated into one structural equation model, controlling for the effects of age, gender and year of study. Cronbach's alpha scores were acceptable (.655 to .905). Correlation analyses showed positive and significant associations between both an autonomy-supportive learning climate and the quantity and quality of feedback received, and students' autonomous motivation, which decreased and became negative when correlated with controlled motivation and amotivation, respectively. Regression analyses revealed that these associations were indirect and mediated by how these predictors satisfied students' basic psychological needs. These results were corroborated by the structural equation analysis, in which data fit the model well and regression paths were in the expected direction. An autonomy-supportive learning climate and the quantity and quality of feedback were positive predictors of students' autonomous motivation and negative predictors of amotivation. However, this was an indirect association mediated by the satisfaction of students' basic psychological needs. Consequently, supporting students' needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness might lead to optimal types of motivation, which has an important influence on dental education.

Self-Determination Theory and the Emerging Fields of Relationship Science and Niche Construction Theory

In this paper we summarise the basic tenets of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). As a special occasion for this overview, we review two recently published edited books on relationship motivation (WEINSTEIN 2014) and work motivation (GAGNÉ 2014) because both of them rely extensively on SDT concepts and principles while they extend the conceptual frames of the theory to several directions and applied fields. Furthermore, we argue that the basic propositions of SDT may contribute to the emerging field of the so called Relationship Science, the continuously forming interdisciplinary knowledge base on close relationships. On the other hand we propose that SDT could and should be further enriched by broader system theoretical approaches. Therefore we outline the evolutionary theoretical principles of human agency as represented in Niche Construction Theory and its applications in social sciences. While a complete theoretical integration exceeds the frames of a review, we draw a series of conclusions that may point in this direction.

A case study of autonomy and motivation in a student-led game development project

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory case study into the relationship between student autonomy and motivation in project based learning, using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to frame the investigation. The case study explores how different forms of motivation affect the students’ response to challenges and their intention to complete the project. Earlier studies have made little explicit use of theoretical perspectives on student autonomy and motivation, a weakness this study attempts to address. As an exploratory case study seeking to evaluate the suitability of a particular theoretical framework, we chose a small case: three students on a one-term computer games development project. Given the small scale, the approach is necessarily qualitative, drawing on project documentation and one-to-one interviews with the students. Our conclusion is that the concepts of SDT provide a useful framework for analysing students’ motivations to undertake project work, and its predictions can offer useful guidance on how to initiate and supervise such projects.