Work

Perceived Control and Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation for Oral Self-Care: A Full Factorial Experimental Test of Theory-Based Persuasive Messages

Year: 2014

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Correlational evidence suggests that perceived control (PC) and intrinsic motivation (IM), key constructs in social cognitive and self-determination theories, may interact to reinforce behavior change. PURPOSE: This proof-of-principle study examines the independent and synergistic effects of interventions to increase PC and IM upon dental flossing frequency. METHODS: University students (n = 185) were randomized in a 2 × 2 full factorial design to receive two computer-based interventions: one to either increase or decrease PC and another to increase either IM or extrinsic motivation. These constructs were measured immediately post-intervention; flossing behavior was measured 1 week later. RESULTS: The interventions to increase PC and PC/IM had main and interaction effects on flossing, respectively. The PC/IM interaction effect was mediated by increases in PC and IM. CONCLUSIONS: Combining interventions to increase PC and IM seems to be a promising avenue of research, which has implications for both theory and intervention development.

Source: Annals of Behavioral Medicine

DOI: 10.1007/s12160-014-9655-2

Authors: Liam Staunton, Paul Gellert, Keegan Knittle, Falko F. Sniehotta

Institutions: University of Aberdeen, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Newcastle University

Language: English

Topic: Behavioral Health and Interventions

Subfield: Applied Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Medical Research Council