Role of parental autonomy support on self-determination in influencing diet and exercise motivation in older adolescents

Abstract

Parental influence to promote autonomy and self-determination in their children as they grow up may also motivate them to exercise and eat healthily. Unfortunately, nutritious dietary consumption and physical activity frequency tend to decline during the adolescent years and reaches its lowest level as the adolescent nears adulthood. In this study of 132 freshman and sophomore college students, the influence of parental autonomy support on overall adolescents self-determination was examined to determine whether self-determination influences adolescents' motivation to engage in healthy diet and exercise behaviors. Utilizing hierarchical multiple regression analyses, parental autonomy support was not predictive of older adolescents' motivation for diet and exercise; however, study results did indicate that parental autonomy support remains highly influential in adolescent self-determination (F[2, 130] = 22.21; P = 0.001) during early college years and that in this sample, adolescent self-determination is predictive of motivation for diet (t = 2.21; P , 0.05), but not exercise. Findings suggest that parental autonomy support continues to influence adolescent internalization of attitudes and behaviors during latter adolescence, but may play a lessor role in motivation for specific health-related behaviors as the adolescent nears adulthood. A better understanding of health motivation antecedents of adolescents may facilitate nurses develop new approaches to health-promotion strategies.

Feedback‐informed treatment and autonomy supportiveness: Effects on children s psychological outcomes

“…Maternal and paternal autonomy support and involvement positively predicted academic achievement (Grolnick et al, 1991). A study by Morrison et al (2013) supported previous research that suggests parental autonomy support is vital for adolescents' ability to internalize beliefs and attitudes as they become adults (Morrison et al, 2013, p. 83).…”

“…Autonomously oriented people function optimally as self-motivated individuals with positive life outcomes, and improved well-being ( Van der Giessen et al, 2014;Deci, et al 1985). A study by Morrison et al (2013) supported previous research that suggests parental autonomy support is vital for adolescents' ability to internalize beliefs and attitudes as they become adults (Morrison et al, 2013, p. 83). Grolnick et al (1991) explored whether any links between a child's perception of parents' autonomy support and academic achievement existed among children of 3-6 grades.…”

“…Adolescents who demonstrate self-determined behaviors are more adaptive compared with less self-determined adolescents (Morrison, Dashiff, & Vance, 2013). Van Petegem, Beyers, Vansteenkiste, and Soenens (2012) examined adolescents' autonomy, independence and motivational underpinnings related to psychological functioning.…”

Dutch Preadolescents’ Food Consumption at School: Influence of Autonomy, Competence and Parenting Practices

“…SDT has been widely applied as a theoretical framework for studying influencing factors on eating behavior [15,16]. The majority of studies on eating behavior in the context of SDT have been conducted with adults (e.g., [17] (cross-sectional), [18,19] (longitudinal)) and older adolescents (e.g., [20] (cross-sectional), [21] (longitudinal)). However, early adolescence at 10-14 years of age is a transitional period in life with important developmental, social and environmental changes that may impact behaviors [22].…”

Personal Prioritization of Healthy Eating among Chinese Adults and Its Association with Dietary Behaviors: Findings from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

“…16,17 Disease history (notably history of diet-related NCDs) has also been linked with motivations and attitudes towards healthy diets, along with other biopsychosocial factors. 18 Interpersonal factors, such as marital status 14,15 and family circumstances, [19][20][21] have also been observed to indirectly or directly play salient roles in healthy diet-related motivations and behaviors. Indeed, family dynamics have also been observed to be key contributors to body mass index trends in China; 22 however, little is known on its impact on attitudes and personal prioritization of health behaviors in the country, such as maintaining a healthy diet.…”