Browsing by Subject "Self-Determination Theory"

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    Examining participants' motivation to change in residential drug abuse program graduates: comparing "stages of change"assessment data with post-release status.
    (2011-05) Moore, Mitchell Jay
    This study examined the ability of three instruments designed to measure an individual's motivational readiness to change to predict successful postincarceration adjustment. It examined the post-release status of a sample of BOP inmates who completed the Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP) at a low security federal correctional institution with their post-test RDAP scores on three "stages of change" instruments-the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA), the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) 8A (Alcohol), and SOCRATES 8D (Drugs). The questions that guided this study were: Do inmates' motivation to change from lifestyles of criminal and addictive behaviors increase or improve through their participation in prison-based treatment programs? If so, how do we know-what are the predictors of post-release rehabilitation? More specifically: Can an inmate's score on SOCRATES and URICA "stages of change" instruments, which are designed to measure an individual's motivation to change addictive behaviors, predict post-release rehabilitation, defined as remaining crime- and drug-free, and maintaining stable housing and employment? Which, if any, of these instrument scales predict post-release success? m Do other demographic variables predictive of post-release success emerge from the data? This study used post-release extant survey data obtained through each former inmate's probation district regarding participants' post-release status in regards to four factors the literature specifies as indicators of successful rehabilitation-remaining crime-free (recidivism), remaining abstinent from illicit substance use (relapse), maintaining stable employment, and maintaining stable housing. These four factors served as the response (dependent) variables. The individuals' post-treatment instrument scores (SOCRATES & URICA) sewed as the primary predictor (independent) variables, and various demographic data also served as predictor variables. Several factors were identified which were predictive of RDAP participants' successes or failure on supervised release (SR). One stages of change measure, the SOCRATES 8D (drug), was associated with criminality and employment instability. Participants' education level was associated with substance use, employment instability, and SR revocation, and participants' race was associated with employment and housing instability. Participants who were placed in RDAP failure status prior to SR (RDAP Failure-Outcome), had greater risk of criminality, substance use, and SR revocation, and they had greater odds of employment and housing instability. As anticipated, these participants performed more poorly on SR. In fact, RDAP failure was the most telling indicator of post-release failure and was found to be associated with every outcome indicator. Several suggestions and recommendations for further research and programming were provided.
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    Use of Wearable Technology and Social Media to Improve Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors among College Students: A 12-week Randomized Pilot Study
    (2018-06) Pope, Zachary
    Introduction: College students are at risk for poorer health behaviors. Therefore, this study evaluated the combined effectiveness of the Polar M400 smartwatch and a theoretically-grounded, Facebook-delivered health education intervention at improving college students’ health behaviors/outcomes versus comparison. Intervention use/acceptability and validation of Polar M400 health metric data were also assessed. Methods: Thirty-eight college students (28 female; X̅age=21.5±3.4 years) participated in this two-arm randomized 12-week pilot trial. After screening, participants were randomized into two groups: (a) experimental-received Polar M400 and a twice-weekly Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)- and Self-Determination Theory (SDT)-based, Facebook-delivered health education intervention; and (b) comparison-enrolled only in separate, but content-identical, Facebook group. ActiGraph Link accelerometers and the National Cancer Institute’s ASA24 food recall measured PA and dietary behaviors, respectively. Health-related SCT and SDT psychosocial constructs were measured using psychometrically-validated questionnaires while the YMCA 3-Minute step test and bioelectrical impedance assessed cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat percentage, respectively. Results: Retention rate was 92.1%, with an intent-to-treat analysis performed. Baseline comparisons revealed only one significant difference between groups for whole grain consumption (p=0.03). For PA, a trend toward a significant main effect for time was observed for moderate-to-vigorous PA, F(2, 72)=2.6, p=0.08; partial eta-squared=0.07, with experimental and comparison groups demonstrating 4.2- and 1.6-minute/day increases, respectively, over time. For secondary outcomes, both groups demonstrated non-significantly decreased weight from baseline to 12 weeks (experimental: -0.6 kg; comparison: -0.5 kg). Further, significant main effects for time were observed for self-efficacy, social support, and intrinsic motivation (all p<0.01; partial eta-squared range: 0.18-0.38) as both groups improved over time. Finally, both groups demonstrated consistently decreased daily kcaloric consumption during the intervention. Intervention adherence was high (~86%), with health education tips implemented multiple times weekly. Validation of the Polar M400 versus the ActiGraph Link suggested moderate validity/reliability for steps per day measurements, with poor validity/reliability observed for Polar M400 daily activity time measurements. Discussion: The current study’s observations indicated initial efficacy of an intervention combining a smartwatch and theoretically-grounded, social media-delivered health education intervention on improving college students’ health behaviors/outcomes. Yet, this intervention may not provide greater benefit than comparison. Future studies should build upon noted limitations.