Mitchell, Andrea (2011) Self-Efficacy and Autonomous Motivation as Predictors of Physical Activity Behaviour in Adults with Diabetes. Coursework Masters thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Most adults with diabetes do not adhere to physical activity recommendations for self-managing their diabetes. The purpose of this study was to examine key constructs from two health behaviour theories - self-efficacy (the social cognitive theory) and autonomous motivation (the self-determination theory) - in predicting physical activity behaviour in adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study also investigated the links between selfefficacy as well as autonomous motivation and stages of change (the transtheoretical model) for physical activity in the diabetes population. 106 participants completed questionnaires: Self-efficacy in Physical Activity Measure, Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire, Stages of Change Measure, and modified Godin LeisureTime Exercise Questionnaire at Time 1. 81 participants completed the questionnaires again at Time 2, after one month had passed. There were no differences in self-efficacy, autonomous motivation and physical activity behaviour for those with T1DM or T2DM. The results provide evidence that self-efficacy and autonomous motivation each made a unique positive contribution to predicting physical activity behaviour, with autonomous motivation (beta = .28, p < .01) making a greater contribution than self-efficacy (beta = .23, p < .05). Both selfefficacy (r = .98) and autonomous motivation (r = .64) predicted positioning in the action and maintenance stages of change for physical activity, and autonomous motivation (r = .77) predicted positioning in the preparation stage of change. Levels of self-efficacy, autonomous motivation and stages of change were stable over one month, whereas the level of physical activity behaviour was not stable over one month. Results suggest adults with diabetes may be more likely to perform physical activity if they are interested in and enjoy their physical activities, they are highly volitional in performing physical activity, and they also feel confident in their ability to overcome barriers to physical activity. Intervention strategies need to target enhancing self-efficacy and autonomous motivation in promoting physical activity behaviour in adults with diabetes, while also considering dynamics of the stage of change of the individual. Building interest and pleasure in physical activity and engaging intrinsic reasons for physical activity could assist individuals to initiate increased physical activity behaviour. When individuals are regularly performing physical activity, enhancing their beliefs in their ability to overcome barriers to physical activity while maintaining their interest and enjoyment in physical activity could assist them to sustain the recommended physical activity level over an extended time.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Coursework Masters) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Grace Pretty |
| Qualification: | Master of Psychology (Clinical) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Oct 2025 01:46 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Oct 2025 01:46 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52585 |
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