Introjected Motivation Research Articles

Psychometry of Physician Teaching Motivation Questionnaire at Iran University of Medical Sciences

Background: The development of societies relies on the type and manner of activities performed at universities. Professors play a pivotal role in the development of universities and societies. Assessment of professors’ motivation and behavior and factors affecting them can improve the educational system and increase its performance. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the Physician Teaching Motivation Questionnaire (PTMQ) from the viewpoint of clinical professors at Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). Methods: This is an instrument psychometric study in which the questionnaire’s validity was determined through the face and content validity and its construct validity through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was determined through the calculation of Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient and consistency between agreers. The data were analyzed in SPSS 23 and LISREL 8.8. Results: The results showed that all 18 items had acceptable content validity (0.68-0.97). The Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.81 and 0.86, respectively. The number of items remained unchanged at 18 according to exploratory factor analysis which classified them into six categories (intrinsic motivation, identified motivation, introjected motivation, career motivation, external motivation, and teaching assistant motivation) and explained 54% of the total variance of the mentioned variables. Also, the value of CFI was equal to 0.93 and the value of Cohen’s kappa was between 0.77 and 0.84. Conclusion: The Persian version of PTMQ is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used for research, educational, and practical purposes to evaluate the teaching motivation of clinical professors in other groups.

Toxic Leadership and Followers’ Work Motivation: An Angolan Study

Toxic leadership has detrimental effects on subordinates and has been associated with several negative outcomes in organizations. This research aims to study the effects of toxic leadership dimensions (abusive supervision, authoritarianism, narcissism, self-promotion and unpredictability) on followers’ work motivation by using Self-Determination Theory to approach work motivation. Angola faces significant social development challenges that are dependent upon the quality of leadership. Two hundred and nineteen people, aged 30 and 65 years, participated in this research from Angolan organizations in different industry sectors. The Toxic Leadership Scale and Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale were used. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. The narcissism dimension of toxic leadership and the identified regulation of work motivation had the highest scores. Leaders’ narcissism was positively correlated with external material and introjected motivation; self-promotion with introjected and intrinsic motivation. All dimensions of toxic leadership were positively correlated with amotivation. Finally, abusive supervision negatively predicts introjected regulation, and narcissism predicts positively material regulation of work motivation. These relationships were interpreted as the effect of toxic leadership dimensions on work motivation dimensions. Leadership development programs should focus on preventing toxic leadership in order to positively impact the followers’ autonomous regulation.

Drivers of wearable fitness technology adoption for health care: an investigation through organismic integration and regulatory focus theory

PurposeIn the prior literature, the motivation to adopt wearable fitness technology (WFT) has been linked with either intrinsic or extrinsic. However, how the subcategories of extrinsic motivations (identified, introjected and external) affect the consumers’ WFT adoption decision remains sparse. Furthermore, do regulatory focus (prevention vs promotion) and gender differences the effects of different motivations on WFT adoption is almost unknown in the health-care marketing literature. This study aims to fill the above-mentioned gap and to unfold the WFT adoption beyond the traditional motivation by incorporating the organismic integration theory (part of self-determined theory) and regulatory focus theory.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a questionnaire-based survey. Using the “AMOS” survey, questionnaire responses of 641 respondents were analyzed and validated by using structural equation modeling. All the variables were adopted from the literature.FindingsThe results show that intrinsic, identified and external motivations have the greatest impact on consumers’ decisions, while introjected motivation was not significant directly. The moderation effects of regulatory focus are significant in such a way that prevention focus influences the introjected motivation and promotion focus affects the external motivation and WFT adoption decision. Furthermore, the findings on gender moderation suggest that women are more intrinsically motivated, and men are more externally motivated for WFT adoption.Practical implicationsThe new insights and contributions of this study provide a better understanding of WFT adoption and help sellers develop more effective marketing strategies.Originality/valueThis study incorporates subcategories of extrinsic motivations to provide a deeper understanding of consumers’ behavior. Furthermore, this study applies a unique framework of organismic integration theory to consumers’ WFT adoption. It is also among very few research that investigate regulatory focus and gender impact on consumers’ WFT adoption.

The association among executive functions, academic motivation, anxiety and depression: a comparison between students with specific learning disabilities and undiagnosed peers

ABSTRACT Since COVID-19 pandemic started, schools had to face environmental changes, one was shifting from a face-to-face educational approach to online learning. It represented an unfavourable learning environment, especially for children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SpLD). Following the Self Determination Theory (SDT) framework, the current study investigated the differences in cognitive, emotional, and motivational domains between students with SpLD and undiagnosed peers, and the relations between executive functioning, emotional distress, and academic motivation. Participants included 97 Italian students, 47 with SpLD (average age of 10.9 years, SD = 1.35), and 50 undiagnosed peers (average age of 10.7 years, SD = 1.58) attending OL lectures during COVID-19. Results displayed lower executive functions (EFs), higher levels of emotional distress in students with SpLD. Furthermore, students with SpLD showed lower levels of identified and intrinsic motivation but higher levels of introjected motivation.

The role of leadership in nurses' wellbeing and performance: A cross-sectional survey using a dual motivational pathway model.

To examine the positive motivational paths from perceived autonomy-supportive leadership, and the negative motivational paths from perceived controlling leadership to satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs, work motivation, work performance, work engagement and somatic symptom burden among nurses using Self-Determination Theory. The study used a cross-sectional design mapping nurses' perceptions of the various study variables through a survey. Nurses working in the municipal healthcare in Norway were recruited through an electronic questionnaire sent out via a link to their emails between 29th of August and 29th of September 2020. Of them, 219 nurses completed the questionnaire. Study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Higher levels of perceived autonomy-supportive leadership were associated with reduced levels of somatic symptom burden and increased levels of work performance and work engagement through the satisfaction of basic psychological needs and autonomous motivation, specifically identified regulation and intrinsic motivation. Perceptions of controlling leadership were associated with heightened levels of somatic symptom burden through basic psychological need frustration, amotivation and introjected motivation, along with lower levels of work engagement through need frustration and amotivation. This study underscores the positive motivational paths of perceived autonomy-supportive leadership on nurses' work performance and wellbeing through the facilitation of basic psychological need satisfaction and autonomous motivation. Conversely, the study highlights negative motivational paths of perceived controlling leadership on reduced work engagement and heightened ill-being through the basic psychological need frustration, controlled motivation and amotivation. This study provides insights and actionable recommendations for nurses and their leaders, emphasizing the significance of understanding the adverse impact associated with perceived controlling leadership. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these issues to mitigate detrimental effects on motivation and overall work functioning. No patient or public contribution.

Pilot randomized controlled trial of a game-based intervention for teaching basketball in Chinese primary school physical education

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the preliminary efficacy and feasibility of implementing a tailored version of the MASTER coach education programme in Chinese primary schools to support physical education (PE) teachers’ basketball lesson design and delivery. A total of 20 primary schools in Beijing, China were recruited, with one PE teacher and their class (N = 715 students aged 10–13 yrs) from each school included in the study and randomly allocated to the MASTER intervention (n = 10) or control group (n = 10). Compared to the control group, a significant difference was observed in the MASTER group for the proportion of playing-form activities delivered during PE (27.65, 95% CI [20.27, 35.03]) and for teachers’ perceptions of confidence (23.92, 95% CI [15.87, 31.92]) and competence (24.12, 95% CI [10.28, 24.71]) to teach. Significant differences between groups were observed for students’ perceived athletic competence (3.56%; 95% CI [3.15, 3.96]), enjoyment (11.83%; 95% CI [10.98, 12.69]), well-being (8.51%; 95% CI [7.02, 10.00]), intrinsic motivation (+0.74%; 95% CI [0.30, 1.17]), introjected motivation (−2.24%; 95% CI [−2.77, −1.70]), and external motivation (−0.49%; 95% CI [−0.90, −0.08]). The MASTER programme was effective in improving teaching practices in Chinese primary schools, and in facilitating improvements in teacher and student outcomes.

Assessing Motivational Factors in Young Serbian Athletes: A Validation Study of the Sport Motivation Scale-II

Background. Motivation is considered crucial in sports participation and performance, influencing athletes’ psychological well-being, investment in training, and interpersonal relationships. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a prominent framework used to understand motivation in sports, highlighting the importance of autonomous motivation for optimal performance and well-being. A large number of questionnaires for examining processes in sports were created by relying on the constructs of SDT. Objective. This study explores the psychometric characteristics (construct validity) of the Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-2), as well as gender and age differences in motivation among young Serbian athletes. This questionnaire has proven to be important for understanding the motivation of adult athletes, but so far, its psychometric characteristics have not been sufficiently examined on a sample of young athletes in Serbia. Given the high dropout rate from sports in adolescence, valid questionnaires to assess the motivation of young athletes can help to identify athletes who are at risk of leaving a sport. Design. The sample consisted of 365 young athletes (51% girls, aged 12–16) from Serbia participating in team sports (at an organized level, not a recreational level), including volleyball, basketball, and handball. They completed the SMS-2 using paper and pen, in the presence of a psychologist and with parental consent obtained by the clubs. The questionnaire has been translated into Serbian. Young athletes from team sports were selected due to the large number of adolescents in Serbia who are engaged in organized team sports. There is a small number of adolescents who are involved in organized individual sports. Results. Factor analysis of the SMS-2 revealed six factors, in line with the original structure of the Scale: identified motivation, intrinsic motivation, amotivation, external motivation, integrated motivation, and introjected motivation. The questionnaire demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients indicating good internal consistency. Gender differences were obtained only in external motivation, where boys scored higher than girls. No significant differences emerge in motivation across age groups or among athletes participating in different sports. It is possible that differences were not found in relation to the type of sport because there are similarities in the process of working with young athletes in team sports. Conclusion. The Sport Motivation Scale II (SMS-2) showed satisfactory psychometric characteristics in a Serbian sample of young athletes. The original structure was replicated, with six factors representing six types of motivation, in line with SDT. These findings suggest the SMS-2’s validity across gender, age, and sport types, offering a valuable tool for assessing motivation in young athletes engaged in organized team sports.

Relationship between satisfaction of work-related needs and forms of motivation for the pursuit of scholarly activity by chiropractic faculty.

This study sought to determine whether chiropractic faculty were extrinsically, introjectedly, or intrinsically motivated to pursue scholarship; if satisfaction of a faculty member's work-related needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness correlated with intrinsic motivation to pursue scholarly activities; and to identify barriers to faculty participation in scholarship. An anonymous online survey was administered to full-time faculty at 2 chiropractic institutions in the United States. Survey items assessed whether faculty perceived their work-related needs as met, which motivation type they displayed, and perceived barriers to performing scholarly work. Pearson correlation was used to measure the relationships between satisfaction of the work-related needs and intrinsic motivation. Content analysis was used to analyze faculty responses regarding perceived barriers. On average, survey items indicating extrinsic motivation received 52.2% of positive responses, those indicating intrinsic motivation received 47.8% of positive responses, and those indicating introjected motivation received 26.7%. Intrinsic motivation was positively correlated with each of the work-related needs (autonomy: r = .34, p = .067; competence: r = .52, p = .004; relatedness: r = 0.34, p = .063). Four categories of barriers were reported: time constraints, lack of knowledge, lack of support, and lack of interest. In this sample, chiropractic faculty most frequently identified with survey items indicating extrinsic motivation. Satisfaction of each of the 3 work-related needs was positively correlated with intrinsic motivation; however, competence showed a significant correlation indicating as competence is satisfied faculty are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to pursue scholarship. Perceived lack of time, knowledge, and support were reported barriers to the pursuit of scholarship.

РОЛЬ МОТИВАЦИИ К ЗАЩИТЕ ОКРУЖАЮЩЕЙ СРЕДЫ В ДЕТЕРМИНАЦИИ ПРОЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ПОВЕДЕНИЯ В РОССИИ

The study of pro-environmental behaviour and its determinants is poignantly important given the current trends of environmental and climate change. We aimed to investigate the role of motivation in explaining pro-environmental behavior in Russia. In addition, the explanatory role of motivation was considered in relation to two other important predictors of pro-environmental behavior: environmental concern and connectedness to nature. The study had a cross-sectional design and involved 462 respondents (56.7% women; Mage = 36.73, SD = 11.77; 56.5% higher education; 60% residents of large cities). Multiple regression analysis and dominance analysis were used. Among the self-determined forms of motivation, internal and integrated motivation positively explained pro-environmental behavior, with integrated motivation explaining all behaviour types. Identified motivation did not significantly explain behavior. Among the non-self-determined forms, introjected motivation positively predicted behavior, extrinsic motivation showed mixed results, and amotivation was a negative predictor. Gender, age, and city size predicted behavior positively, while education and income predicted it negatively. In addition, integrated motivation was the dominant predictor for waste management behaviour, social behaviour and resource conservation behaviour. Age, income, and education were marginally dominant, compared to integrated motivation, predictors of sustainable purchases and climate-relevant behaviour (aiming to reduce carbon footprint). While being important predictors, intrinsic motivation, amotivation, environmental (biospheric) concern, and connectedness to nature, were less dominant compared to integrated motivation for all behaviour types.

Русскоязычная версия опросника моральной идентичности

<p>Moral identity, according to theoretical concepts, plays an important role in motivating moral behaviour. At the same time, empirical studies of moral identity are hampered by the lack of appropriate instruments. The purpose of this work is to develop a Russian-language inventory based on the Moral Identity Questionnaire (MIQ) by J. Black and W. Reynolds, which includes two scales: Moral Self and Moral Integrity. The Moral Integrity Scale measures the desire for consistency between one's moral impulses and actions, while the Moral Self Scale measures how strong one's identification with moral values is. In the study on a sample of 322 students (79% female, mean age M = 21,05; SD = 6,55) good internal consistency of the scales was shown (Cronbach's α coefficients were 0.77 and 0.80). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirm the structure of the questionnaire, composed of two factors relevant to the scales. The results of the validity analysis showed that indicators of moral identity are directly related to moral foundations, agreeability, indicators of empathy, as well as identified, internal and introjected motivation for moral actions. Also, the expected negative correlations of indicators of moral identity with moral disengagement, traits of the dark triad, egoism, propensity to academic dishonesty and amotivation of moral actions were revealed. No gender differences were found on the scales of moral identity, while a weak direct relationship of all scales with age was revealed. Thus, as a result of the study, a Russian-language moral identity questionnaire was developed, which can be useful in further research on the role of identity in motivating moral behaviour.</p>

Short-term and long-term behavioral effects of vaccination mandates

ABSTRACT Current COVID-19 vaccination levels are insufficient to achieve herd immunity. To implement effective interventions toward ending the pandemic, it is essential to understand why people are motivated and willing to receive vaccination. The study aims to evaluate attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination mandates and the impact of policies on future vaccine uptake and behavior utilizing self-determination theory. We conducted an online survey (n = 569) in the U.S. and Turkey to investigate a relationship between respondents’ psychological needs and their willingness and motivation to receive COVID vaccination. The study examined the possible impact of vaccine mandates on these needs. Autonomy satisfaction was the leading predictor of willingness to receive vaccination (p < .0001). Relatedness satisfaction was the leading predictor of one’s intention to receive vaccination (OR = 3.382; p = .0001). The strongest positive correlation was found between needs frustration and external motivation. A moderate positive correlation was found between competence frustration and introjected motivation. No association was found between vaccine mandates and psychological needs. Need satisfaction, especially autonomy and relatedness, appear to positively influence willingness and intention to receive a vaccination. On the other hand, need frustration, especially autonomy and competence frustration, correlates with external motivation, thereby suggesting a detrimental long-term effect on vaccination behavior. Need satisfaction promotes positive vaccination behavior, while need frustration might adversely affect motivation and willingness to receive vaccination. Strategies promoting autonomous decision-making might be more effective than vaccination enforcement in sustaining positive vaccination behavior.

Experiencing awe, engaging in extreme sports: Incidental awe as an effective promoter for extreme sports engagement

Extreme sports, a unique sports genre, rely heavily on commercial communication to motivate participation and realize marketing potential. This study highlights incidental awe (awe emotion elicited from experiences other than extreme sports) as an introjected motivation for extreme sports under self-determination theory. Through three experimental studies, this study examined whether and how incidental awe stimulates individuals’ extreme sports engagement. Specifically, we found that people who experienced positive awe displayed greater tendencies to take part in, form positive word of mouth for, and pay a higher price for extreme sports than those in control conditions (Studies 1–3). However, negative awe did not have any of the above effects (Study 2). Effects of positive awe on extreme sports engagement were mediated by individuals’ cognitive experience of curiosity and moderated by their need for cognition (Study 3). Together, these findings identified incidental awe as a significant introjected motivation for engaging in extreme sports through emotional and cognitive mechanisms. Guidelines for extreme sports promotion are provided accordingly.

Examining Underrepresented Minority STEM Faculty Members’ Motivation for Research

Underrepresented minority (URM) university faculty can be identified as those whose representation based on gender, race, and/or ethnicity in particular fields, such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), are smaller than in the US population. Studies on URM faculty have found discrimination and affiliated stress impact faculty in many aspects of their work, such as performance in research. In the current study, we examined STEM faculty who self-identify as URM, their experiences of workplace discrimination, and how these encounters affect their self-determined motivation to conduct research. Six-hundred and fifty-one faculty from 10 US institutions completed an online survey. Of the participants, 37.5% self-identified as URM, of which 81% were women, 20% non-white, and 6% Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity; notably, the data shows that 24% of women and 56% of non-white faculty did not self-identify as URM. More than 87% of URM reported workplace bias, which correlated with significantly lower autonomy and relatedness with coworkers. URM women reported gender discrimination at work was common and upsetting, which related to greater amotivation. Non-white and Hispanic/Latinx/Spanish URM who reported high success in research also cited more discrimination. URM faculty motivation was fostered by autonomy and competence, and much more by relatedness compared to non-URM faculty. For non-URM, autonomous motivation (enjoyment, value) positively related to research success, whereas for URM faculty a lack of introjected motivation (guilt) was the strongest predictor. Discussion focuses on implications for future studies of faculty motivation and strategies to promote URM faculty research productivity.

Sustaining Work–Home Enrichment Experience in the Academic Sector: The Role of Intrinsic versus Extrinsic Motivations

This research investigated the impact of motivations on work–home enrichment experience among male Saudi academics working in universities. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT) and the conservation of resources theory (COR), the study employed a quantitative study with data collected from 460 men. The analysis revealed that intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation reinforced by material pressure were significantly and positively related to both work–home enrichment (WHE) and home–work enrichment (HWE), whereas extrinsic motivation underpinned by social pressure is significantly and negatively related to HWE only. Furthermore, the results show that introjected motivation, identified motivation, and amotivation were not related to WHE and HWE. The findings of this study highlight the motivational underpinnings of the positive work–home interaction, demonstrating that working for pleasure and material incentives brings enrichment experiences for employees and their families. Further work and home studies should be carried out to produce useful insights that have the potential to improve and sustain the well-being of individuals, their families, and their communities, organisations, and countries’ economies.

The interplay of personality traits and motivation in leisure travel decision-making during the pandemic

COVID-19 has negatively affected the travel and tourism industry and may continue to do so in the future. Therefore, hospitality businesses need to pay attention to consumer reactions, concerns, and motives for travelling in this era. This study leverages the stimulus-organism-behaviour-consequence (SOBC) model to examine psychological factors that influence Japanese travellers' intention to travel and willingness to pay premiums for safe travel by analysing data from 790 respondents. The findings of the study reveal that extraversion positively associates with introjected motivation and negatively with amotivation. Neuroticism personality type positively associates with amotivation and negatively associates with introjected motivation. Introjected motivation positively associates with perception of safe travel during COVID-19, whereas amotivation has a non-significant association with perception of safe travel during COVID-19. Perception of safe travel positively associates with intention to travel and willingness to pay premiums for safe travel. Finally, intention to travel has no effect on willingness to pay premiums for safe travel. These findings provide valuable theoretical and managerial implications.

The Relationship between Music Learning Motivations, Intentions to Pursue a Career in Music, and Career Choices of College Music Majors in Korea

본 연구는 음악전공 대학생의 음악학습 동기, 음악직업 진로 의향, 직업 선택과의 관계를 파악하는 데 그 목적이 있다. 이를 위하여 서울시에 소재한 2개의 대학에 재학 중인 음악전공 대학생 152명을 대상으로 음악학습 동기, 음악직업 진로 의향, 직업 선택에 관한 설문조사를 실시하였다. 연구 결과, 음악전공 대학생들의 음악학습 동기의 자율성과 음악직업 진로 의향이 높은 것으로 나타났다. 가장 선호하는 직업은 음악실기 강사였으며 다음으로 연주자였고 음악교사를 가장 선호하지 않았다. 확인된 동기만이 음악직업 진로 의향과 연주가와 음악실기 강사의 직업 선택에 긍정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으며, 내사된 동기는 음악직업 진로 의향에 부정적인 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 연구 결과는 각 음악 학습 동기가 음악직업 진로의향과 직업 선택에 각기 다른 영향을 미친다는 것을 보여준다. 또한 음악 학습 동기와 음악 대학생의 음악 교사로서의 직업 선택 사이에 관계가 없는 이유에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요함을 시사한다.The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between music learning motivations, intentions to pursue a career in music, and career choices among college music majors in Korea. Results from a survey of 152 music majors from two universities in Seoul showed that their music learning motivation was primarily autonomous and not controlled. High intentions to pursue a career in music were expressed, with the most preferred career being that of a college lecturer/studio instructor, followed by a performer, and the least preferred being that of a music teacher. The only motivation that had a positive impact on pursuing a career in music and choosing a performer or college lecturer/studio instructor as a future career was identified motivation. However, introjected motivation had a negative impact. Intrinsic and external motivations had no effect on music career intentions or choices. The findings demonstrate that each orientation of music learning motivation has a unique effect on the intentions to pursue a career in music and career choices. The results also highlight the need for further investigation into why music learning motivation has no relation to music college students' career choice as a music teacher.

The longitudinal associations between wearable technology, physical activity and self-determined motivation

ABSTRACT Wearable technology has been posited as a potential intervention for improving adherence to physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour. However, the long-term effectiveness of these devices is questionable and little attention has been paid to the motivational processes that drive physical activity behaviour. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of wearable technology for improving body composition and physical activity, and also to explore the associations with self-determined motivation. Fifty-eight participants completed questionnaires measuring their physical activity and motivation on a monthly basis for a period of six months. In addition, body composition was measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Participants who used wearable technology did not improve their body composition over the duration of the study. Moreover, participants using wearable technology experienced a decline in physical activity levels when compared with non-users. Furthermore, an association emerged between introjected motivation and wearable technology use. This study provides further evidence that wearable technology may not be effective for improving long-term physical activity adherence. Furthermore, it suggests introjected motivation may be an important mechanism within this relationship.

The indirect association between moral disengagement and bystander behaviors in school bullying through motivation: Structural equation modelling and mediation analysis

Guided by the social-cognitive theory and self-determination theory, this study examined whether moral disengagement is indirectly associated with pro-bullying, passive bystanding, and defending, mediated by autonomous motivation, introjected motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation to defend victims of bullying among early adolescents. Participants were 901 upper elementary students from 43 school classes at 15 public schools in Sweden who completed a questionnaire in their classrooms. The results showed that students who were less inclined to morally disengage in peer bullying tended to be more autonomously motivated to take the victim’s side, which in turn was associated with greater defending and fewer pro-bullying behaviors. Introjected motivation to defend negatively mediated the association between moral disengagement and defending, and positively mediated moral disengagement’s associations with passive bystanding and pro-bullying behavior. Extrinsic motivation to defend mediated moral disengagement’s associations with passive bystanding and pro-bullying behavior. Finally, students who were more prone to morally disengage in peer bullying tended to be more amotivated to take the victim’s side, which in turn was associated with greater pro-bullying behavior and less defending.

Latent profile analysis of physical activity motivation during behavioral weight loss treatment

Participants in behavioral weight loss (BWL) treatment often struggle to meet and maintain physical activity (PA) prescriptions; improving participants’ motivation for the behavior is a potential intervention strategy. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) outlines a continuum of qualitatively different dimensions of motivation, suggesting that more self-determined forms of motivation should predict more PA, whereas less self-determined forms of motivation should be unrelated or negatively related to PA. Although SDT has ample empirical support, most existing research in this area has used statistical analyses that oversimplify the complex, interdependent relationships between dimensions of motivation and behavior. This study’s purpose was to explore commonly occurring motivational “profiles” for PA based on the SDT dimensions of motivation (amotivation, external, introjected, integrated/identified, and intrinsic motivation) and how these profiles relate to PA behavior among participants with overweight/obesity (N = 281, 79.4% female) at baseline and six months into BWL treatment. Latent profile analysis determined that three motivational profiles fit the data best at both timepoints and the profile characterized by high self-determined (i.e., integrated/identified and intrinsic) motivation and moderate introjected motivation was by far the most common. There were no differences in physical activity behavior across motivational profiles, which contrasts previous literature. Findings suggest that participants who take the initiative to sign up for intensive BWL programs may have sufficiently high PA motivation, which may be a poor predictor of their actual behavior. Future research should examine these relationships later in treatment, when motivation may have more variability, as well as among participants who initiate lower-commitment weight loss programs (e.g., self-help).

The mediating effect of introjected motivation on the relation between perfectionism and academic burnout

Maladaptive perfectionism and controlled motivation are vulnerability factors for burnout. This study examined the relationships between two aspects of perfectionism (high standards, discrepancy), four academic motivational orientations (intrinsic, identified, introjected, extrinsic), and academic burnout. The target population was 12th graders in South Korea, and a total of 950 participants were recruited using cluster sampling. Data were collected from three waves of longitudinal study. In particular, the mediating role of academic motivation (T2) in the link between perfectionism (T1) and academic burnout (T3) was tested using structural equation modelling. The results indicated that introjected motivation mediated the relationship between perfectionism and burnout. Specifically, both high standards and discrepancy were positively associated with introjected motivation, and in turn, introjected motivation was positively associated with burnout. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.