When effects of the universal psychological need for autonomy on health behaviour extend to a large proportion of individuals: A field experiment

作者：Chatzisarantis Nikos L D^*; Hagger Martin S; Kamarova Sviatlana; Kawabata Masato

来源：British Journal of Health Psychology, 2012, 17: 785-797.

DOI：10.1111/j.2044-8287.2012.02073.x

Objective. Based on tenets of self-determination theory, the present manuscript examined the hypothesis that a physical activity intervention programme that supported the universal psychological need for autonomy would motivate a large proportion of young individuals to engage in physical activity. In contrast, we hypothesized that interventions that did not support the universal psychological need for autonomy would motivate a smaller proportion of young individuals to endorse the physical activity programme. Method. A field experiment was conducted. Participants were randomly allocated to an intervention that supported the psychological need for autonomy and two conditions that did not support the psychological need for autonomy (rationale-only or forced-choice conditions). Results. It was demonstrated that more young individuals initiated and completed a physical activity intervention programme when the programme supported the psychological need for autonomy than when the programme did not support the psychological need for autonomy. Conclusions. Results of the present study provide additional evidence to a growing body of literature recognizing the importance of universal psychological needs in motivating health-related behaviours. Statement of Contribution What is already known on this subject? Previous research has established the unique effects of the psychological need for autonomy on health behaviour. Several studies have shown that individuals are more likely to adopt health-related behaviour when they complete interventions that support the psychological need for autonomy than when they are exposed to interventions that frustrate the psychological need for autonomy. What does this study add? The current study adds to knowledge by demonstrating that the effects of universal psychological needs extend to a large proportion (i.e., the majority) of individuals. This means that autonomy supportive interventions to change health behaviour will lead to benefits to a large proportion of individuals in a population, which is extremely beneficial to public health campaigns that aim to increase the health of the general population.

• 出版日期2012-11
• 单位南阳理工学院