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Is autonomous motivation the key to maintaining an active lifestyle in first‐episode psychosis?
Author(s) -
Vancampfort Davy,
De Hert Marc,
Broderick Julie,
Lederman Oscar,
Firth Joseph,
Rosenbaum Simon,
Probst Michel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
early intervention in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.087
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1751-7893
pISSN - 1751-7885
DOI - 10.1111/eip.12373
Subject(s) - transtheoretical model , amotivation , psychology , psychological intervention , physical activity , population , clinical psychology , multivariate analysis of variance , self determination theory , post hoc analysis , developmental psychology , intrinsic motivation , medicine , physical therapy , psychiatry , social psychology , autonomy , environmental health , machine learning , computer science , political science , law
Aim Physical activity has the potential to improve the health of patients with first‐episode psychosis ( FEP ), yet many patients with FEP remain inactive. Exploring the theoretical basis of the motivational processes linked to the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviours in FEP patients can assist with the design and delivery of physical activity interventions. Within the self‐determination theory and the transtheoretical model (stages of change) frameworks, we investigated motives for physical activity adoption and maintenance in FEP . Methods Overall 56 FEP patients (20♀) (24 ± 4 years) completed the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire 2 to assess exercise motives, and the Patient‐Centred Assessment and Counselling for Exercise to determine stage of change. Gender and setting differences in motives for physical activity were compared with unpaired t ‐tests. The relationship between motives for physical activity and stage of change was investigated using anova with post‐hoc Scheffe tests. Results No significant differences were found according to gender and setting. Multivariate analyses found significantly higher levels of amotivation and lower levels of autonomous motivation in the earlier stages of change. Conclusions Our results suggest that in FEP patients, autonomous regulations may play an important role in the adoption and maintenance of physical activity behaviours. The study provides a platform for future research to investigate the importance of autonomous motivation within physical activity interventions for this population.