Personal characteristics and school contextual variables associated with student self-determination in Spanish context

Background: Most theoretical models of self-determination suggest that both environmental and personal factors influence the development of self-determination. The design and implementation of interventions must be conducted with foreknowledge of such mediating and moderating factors if the intervention is to be successful.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which several personal factors and school characteristics affect and explain students’ self-determination. A total of 232 students with intellectual disability from Spain participated. Their self-determination level was assessed by the ARC-INICO Scale.

Results: Students with moderate levels of intellectual disability obtained significantly lower scores on self-determination than their peers with mild intellectual disability. There were significant differences in relation to the level of support needs and their experience with transition programs. The level of support needs was a significant predictor.

Conclusion: These findings contribute to current research in this field and practical implications were discussed.     

Operationalizing Pain Treatment in the Biopsychosocial Model: Take a Daily “SWEM”—Socialize,Work, Exercise,Meditate

In the United States, chronic pain is often poorly treated at an exceedingly high cost. The use of the biomedical model to manage pain is frequently ineffective, and evidence suggests that the biopsychosocial (BPS) model is a better choice. A problem with the BPS model is that it has not been operationalized in terms of patient behavior. This commentary addresses that issue by suggesting that people with chronic pain and illness participate daily in four self-management health behaviors: socialize, work, exercise, and meditation, and discusses evidence that supports these recommendations. These self-management behaviors may decrease pain and thus reduce the need for pain medications and other medical interventions. Additional topics include patient adherence and health coaching.     

Motivation in pediatric motor rehabilitation: A systematic search of the literature using the self-determination theory as a conceptual framework

Objective: Motivation is suggested as an important factor in pediatric motor rehabilitation. Therefore, we reviewed the existing evidence of (motivational) motor rehabilitation paradigms, and how motivation influences rehabilitation outcome using self-determination theory as conceptual framework. Methods: PubMed and Web-of-Science databases were systematically searched until June 2015. Data were independently extracted and critiqued for quality by three authors. Studies reporting motivational aspects were included. Most studies examined new technology (e.g., virtual reality [VR]). Results: Out of 479 records, three RCT, six case-control, and six non-comparative studies were included with mixed quality. Motivation was rarely reported. Training individualization to the child’s capabilities with more variety seemed promising to increase motivation. Motivation increased when the exercises seemed helpful for daily activities. Conclusions: Motivation in pediatric rehabilitation should be comprehensively assessed within a theoretical framework as there are indications that motivated children have better rehabilitation outcomes, depending on the aspect of motivation.     

A self-determination theory-based self-myofascial release program in older adults with myofascial trigger points in the neck and back: A pilot study

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness and adherence to a self-determination theory (SDT)-based self-myofascial release (SMR) program in older adults with myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), and to investigate the factors that influence participant behavioral change while conducting the program in a home setting. Methods: An explanatory mixed-method design was used to evaluate a 12-week SDT-based SMR program, including a 4-week group-based education and practice (EP) phase and an 8-week home-based self-management (SM) phase. Pain intensity on palpation and sensitivity to pain were assessed at baseline and the post EP and post SM phase. Focus group interviews were conducted at the post SM phase. Findings: Fifteen participants completed the study. Pain intensity and sensitivity to pain significantly improved at the post SM phase compared with the baseline. Adherence increased during the SM phase compared with that during the EP phase. Four main themes emerged as factors that influenced participant behavioral change: 1) “awareness of the effectiveness”; 2) “a sense of duty to perform the exercise”; 3) “obedience to expert instruction”; and 4) “lack of friendship.” Conclusions: These results support the effectiveness of an SDT-based SMR program for the treatment of MTrPs and in motivating older adults to participate in the program.     

THE FAMILY AND NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE

The birth of a sick newborn provides great stress for the family. During the illness, the family must face charged issues, including the loss of the perfect child they had anticipated and a fear that their baby may die. Issues related to helping these vulnerable families are examined, including response to the birth of a sick baby, communication with the family, preparation for discharge and long term hospitalization, as well as issues pertaining to the staff of the neonatal intensive care unit.     

Unmet core needs for self-determination in HIV-infected women of color in medical care

The levels of satisfaction of the core self-determination needs (relatedness, autonomy and competence) among HIV-infected women of color as well as the association between need fulfillment and patient characteristics were examined. Having less than a high-school education was associated with lowest need satisfaction: autonomy (β?=??1.90; 95%CI?=??3.20, ?0.60), relatedness (β?=??2.70; 95%CI?=??4.30, ?1.10) and competency (β?=??2.50; 95%CI?=??3.60, ?1.30). Each additional point increase in affective symptoms of depression was associated with decrements in need satisfaction (?.61 autonomy, ?.68 relatedness and ?.59 competency). Relatedness satisfaction was lower with higher responses on all three measures of violence (psychological abuse: β?=??0.13, 95%CI?=??0.19 to ?0.07; adult traumatic experiences: β?=??0.24, 95%CI?=??0.35 to ?0.13 and childhood traumatic experiences: β?=??0.24, 95%CI?=??0.40 to ?0.08). Interventions that address core self-determination needs, and the characteristics that influence them, may enhance the motivation for self-care of HIV-infected women.     

The Role of Autonomy Needs in Suicidal Ideation: Integrating the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide and Self-Determination Theory

This study investigated the role of autonomy satisfaction in the development of suicidal ideation by integrating two theoretical models of suicide-related behaviors. The first hypothesized a direct effect of autonomy on suicidal ideation. The second hypothesized an indirect effect of autonomy on suicidal ideation via perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. This was a cross-sectional study of 449 college students, who were predominantly female (73.1%) and Hispanic (70.6%), with a mean age of 20.40 years (SD = 4.38, range 18–50 years). Participants were recruited from a psychology participant pool and completed self-report survey measures for course credit. The model of indirect effects provided the best fit to the data; relatedness, autonomy, and competence were significantly associated with higher thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, which, in turn, were significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation. Future studies should test this model longitudinally and consider autonomy as a possible avenue for the prevention of suicide-related behaviors.     

Efficacy of Participation-Focused Therapy on Performance of Physical Activity Participation Goals and Habitual Physical Activity in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

To determine the efficacy of a participation-focused therapy (ParticiPAte CP) on leisure-time physical activity goal performance and satisfaction and habitual physical activity (HPA) in children with CP.