Eighth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

This study examines how self-determined motivation mediates the relationship between exercise barriers and exercise behavior in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) (Study 1). Moreover to better understand the extent to which self-determined motivation governs the relationship between exercise barriers and behavior, a qualitative approach was used comparing individuals displaying higher and lower motivation to exercise (Study 2). In Study 1, 154 patients with T2D completed a survey which assessed ten barriers to exercise, self-determined motivation, and exercise behavior. The relationship was analyzed by a bootstrap regression analysis for mediation effect guided by Preacher and Hayes (2004). In Study 2, patients with T2D were divided into higher (n=8) or lower (n=8) motivation groups after completing the questionnaire survey used in Study 1. Participants then completed an in-depth, semi-structured interview and data were analyzed by deductive content analysis. From Study 1, self-determined motivation showed a mediation role in the relationship between barriers to exercise and exercise behavior. Five out of ten barriers (willpower, support, health, knowledge, tiredness) were partially mediated and two (misconception and finance) were fully mediated to exercise behavior by self-determined motivation. From Study 2, patients with higher motivation had higher exercise participation and were better at managing perceived exercise barriers, while patients with lower motivation were hindered by a greater variety of exercise barriers with less exercise participation. These findings provide insight on how self-determined motivation may be an important consideration when designing strategies to increase exercise participation and remove barriers to exercise in T2D patients.