Loading...
9 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
- Testing motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms of action on device-measured physical activity in the context of a weight loss maintenance digital intervention: A secondary analysis of the NoHoW trialPublication . Encantado, Jorge; Marques, Marta M.; Gouveia, Maria João; Santos, Inês; Sánchez-Oliva, David; O'Driscoll, Ruairi; Turicchi, Jake; Larsen, Sofus C.; Horgan, Graham; Teixeira, Pedro J.; Stubbs, R James; Heitmann, Berit Lilienthal; Palmeira, António L.Background To date, few digital behavior change interventions for weight loss maintenance focusing on long-term physical activity promotion have used a sound intervention design grounded on a logic model underpinned by behavior change theories. The current study is a secondary analysis of the weight loss maintenance NoHoW trial and investigated putative mediators of device-measured long-term physical activity levels (six to 12 months) in the context of a digital intervention. Methods A subsample of 766 participants (Age = 46.2 ± 11.4 years; 69.1% female; original NoHoW sample: 1627 participants) completed all questionnaires on motivational and self-regulatory variables and had all device-measured physical activity data available for zero, six and 12 months. We examined the direct and indirect effects of Virtual Care Climate on post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and number of steps (six to 12 months) through changes in the theory-driven motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms of action during the intervention period (zero to six months), as conceptualized in the logic model. Results Model 1 tested the mediation processes on Steps and presented a poor fit to the data. Model 2 tested mediation processes on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and presented poor fit to the data. Simplified models were also tested considering the autonomous motivation and the controlled motivation variables independently. These changes yielded good results and both models presented very good fit to the data for both outcome variables. Percentage of explained variance was negligible for all models. No direct or indirect effects were found from Virtual Care Climate to long term change in outcomes. Indirect effects occurred only between the sequential paths of the theory-driven mediators. Conclusion This was one of the first attempts to test a serial mediation model considering psychological mechanisms of change and device-measured physical activity in a 12-month longitudinal trial. The model explained a small proportion of variance in post intervention changes in physical activity. We found different pathways of influence on theory-driven motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms but limited evidence that these constructs impacted on actual behavior change. New approaches to test these relationships are needed. Challenges and several alternatives are discussed.
- The influence of motivational factors on the frequency of participation in citizen science activitiesPublication . Tiago, Patrícia; Gouveia, Maria João; Capinha, César; Santos-Reis, Margarida; Pereira, Henrique M.Citizen science has become a mainstream approach to collect information and data on many different scientific subjects. In this study, we assess the effectiveness of engagement and meaningful experience of participants in citizen science projects. We use motivational measures calculated from a web survey where respondents answered questions regarding to their motivation to participate in BioDiversity4All, a Portuguese citizen science project. We adapted the intrinsic motivation inventory (IMI) and considered seven categories of measurement: Interest/Enjoyment, Perceived Competence, Effort/Importance, Perceived Choice, Value/Usefulness, Project Relatedness, and Group Relatedness each of them with statements rated on a seven-point Likert scale. We received 149 survey responses, corresponding to 10.3 % of BioDiversity- 4All Newsletter’s receivers. We analyzed for possible differences among the categories pertaining to gender, age, level of education and level of participation in the project. Finally, we assessed the different patterns of motivation existing among the users. No statistical differences were found between genders, age classes and levels of education for the averages in any category of analysis. However, IMI categories presented different results for respondents with different levels of participation. The highest value of Interest/Enjoy-ment and Perceived Competence was obtained by the group of respondents that participate a lot and the lowest by the ones that never participated. Project Relatedness had the highest value for all groups except for the group that never participated. This group had completely different motivations from the other groups, showing the lowest levels in categories such as Perceived Competence, Value/Usefulness, Project Relatedness and Group Relatedness. In conclusion, the results from our work show that working deeply on people’s involvement is fundamental to increase and maintain their participation on citizen science projects. If, for initial recruitment and in countries with low participation culture, mechanisms of external motivation may be necessary, to guarantee higher levels of long term participation, citizen science projects should foster intrinsic motivations which can be done by incorporating in project design experiences of relatedness, capacity building, positive feedback and adapted participation modes.
- Development and cross-cultural validation of the Goal Content for Weight Maintenance Scale (GCWMS)Publication . Encantado, Jorge; Marques, Marta M.; Palmeira, António L.; Sebire, Simon J; Teixeira, Pedro J.; Stubbs, R James; Heitmann, Berit Lilienthal; Gouveia, Maria JoãoLong-term weight management requires sustained engagement with energy-balance-related behaviours. According to self-determination theory, behaviour goals can support or undermine motivation depending on the quality of their content (i.e., extrinsic and intrinsic motivation). This study aimed to develop and validate the goal content for weight loss maintenance scale (GCWMS).
- Fostering teachers’ resilience and well-being through professional learning: effects from a training programmePublication . Fernandes, Luísa; Peixoto, Francisco José Brito; Gouveia, Maria João; Silva, José Maria Castro; Wosnitza, MaroldResilience can be fostered amongst teachers in order to sustain their well-being and commitment to quality education. This study examined the effects of a training programme focused on resilience and well-being, targeting in-service Portuguese teachers. This paper reports a study using a quasi-experimental design involving 59 teachers (35 in two experimental groups and 24 in a control group). The effects of the professional learning programme were assessed using the following measures: motivation, global resilience, commitment to the profession, self-efficacy, school support, positive and negative experiences, work well-being, and work meaning. The experimental group participated in an 18-hour professional learning programme. Results showed the effects of the professional learning programme over all the variables, with the exception of Teacher Commitment to the Profession and School Support. These findings contribute to the growing body of research conceptualising teacher resilience as a multidimensional construct and have implications for teacher professional learning programmes.
- Estrutura fatorial da versão portuguesa da relationship flourishing scalePublication . Alves, Micaela A.; Alves, Rita G.; Jesus, Saúl; Gouveia, Maria João
- Escala de Satisfação no Domínio Académico em Universitários PortuguesesPublication . Almeida, Leandro; Taveira, Maria do Céu; Peixoto, Francisco José Brito; Silva, José; Gouveia, Maria JoãoStudents’ satisfaction has been valued as an indicator of the quality of higher education institutions, and as a relevant variable in explaining their involvement, learning and persistence. Satisfaction, associated to the diverse contexts of students' academic experience, is understood as a construct of students’ evaluation of the institution, academic climate, course and interpersonal relationships. Based on a sample of students from two Portuguese Higher Education institutions, one public and another private, we analyze the validity evidence of the Academic Domain Satisfaction Scale. The results of a confirmatory factorial analysis suggest the one-dimensional nature of the scale. On the other hand, adequate levels of internal consistency of its items, as well as significant correlations between the result in the scale and indicators of the students' affective disposition, academic performance and dropout intentions, point towards the validity of the measure.
- Anxiety and depression in the portuguese older adults: Prevalence and associated factorsPublication . Sousa, Rute Dinis de; Rodrigues, Ana Maria; Gregório, Maria João; Branco, Jaime Da Cunha; Gouveia, Maria João; Canhão, Helena; Dias, Sara SimõesAnxiety and depression in the elderly individuals have been studied around the world, and some authors consider them among the most serious problems faced by modern societies. With recent economic crisis-very important in Southern European countries-isolation, loneliness, and exclusion of the active society, mental problems are probably raising and associated with distinct factors. In this cross-sectional analysis, nested in a longitudinal population-based cohort study, we analyze anxiety and depression prevalence, and their related factors, in a representative cohort of Portuguese seniors. We used data retrieved from second wave of follow-up of EpiDoC Cohort-EpiDoC 2 study, which is composed by 10,661 adults, representative of adult Portuguese population. This study included all ≥65 years old EpiDoC 2 study participants, who responded to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), n = 1,680. Sociodemographic, lifestyles, self-reported non-communicable diseases, health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-3D), physical function (HAQ), and health resources consumption data were collected. Anxiety and depression were assessed with HADS. Anxiety and depression prevalence were estimated. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess anxiety and depression score determinants. The estimated prevalence of anxiety among Portuguese elderly is 9.6% and depression is 11.8%. Seniors with anxiety and seniors with depression have a higher probability to self-report higher levels of physical disability (OR = 3.10; 96% CI 2.12-4.52; OR = 3.08, 95% CI 2.29-4.14, respectively) and lower levels of quality of life (OR = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.09; OR = 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.06, respectively). Female gender (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.53-5.00), low educational level (OR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.22-4.36), allergic (OR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.14-3.55), and rheumatic disease (OR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.74-4.90) were significantly and independently associated with the presence of anxiety symptoms. Physical inactivity (OR = 1.64, 95% CI 1.11-2.42) and low educational level (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.41-4.09) were significantly and independently associated with depression symptoms. Subjects that reported to drink alcohol daily or occasionally were negatively associated with depression symptoms. Anxiety and depression are frequent among Portuguese elderly. These prevalence rates suggest that preventing mental illness in senior population is a crucial need. A well-designed prevention strategy might have an effective action in raising the well-being of elderly.
- Testing motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms of action on device-measured physical activity in the context of a weight loss maintenance digital intervention: A secondary analysis of the NoHoW trialPublication . Encantado, Jorge; Marques, Marta M.; Gouveia, Maria João; Santos, Inês; Sánchez-Oliva, David; O'Driscoll, Ruairi; Turicchi, Jake; Larsen, Sofus C.; Horgan, Graham; Teixeira, Pedro J.; Stubbs, R James; Heitmann, Berit Lilienthal; Palmeira, António L.Background: To date, few digital behavior change interventions for weight loss maintenance focusing on longterm physical activity promotion have used a sound intervention design grounded on a logic model underpinned by behavior change theories. The current study is a secondary analysis of the weight loss maintenance NoHoW trial and investigated putative mediators of device-measured long-term physical activity levels (six to 12 months) in the context of a digital intervention. Methods: A subsample of 766 participants (Age = 46.2 ± 11.4 years; 69.1% female; original NoHoW sample: 1627 participants) completed all questionnaires on motivational and self-regulatory variables and had all devicemeasured physical activity data available for zero, six and 12 months. We examined the direct and indirect effects of Virtual Care Climate on post intervention changes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and number of steps (six to 12 months) through changes in the theory-driven motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms of action during the intervention period (zero to six months), as conceptualized in the logic model. Results: Model 1 tested the mediation processes on Steps and presented a poor fit to the data. Model 2 tested mediation processes on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and presented poor fit to the data. Simplified models were also tested considering the autonomous motivation and the controlled motivation variables independently. These changes yielded good results and both models presented very good fit to the data for both outcome variables. Percentage of explained variance was negligible for all models. No direct or indirect effects were found from Virtual Care Climate to long term change in outcomes. Indirect effects occurred only between the sequential paths of the theory-driven mediators. Conclusion: This was one of the first attempts to test a serial mediation model considering psychological mechanisms of change and device-measured physical activity in a 12-month longitudinal trial. The model explained a small proportion of variance in post intervention changes in physical activity. We found different pathways of influence on theory-driven motivational and self-regulatory mechanisms but limited evidence that these constructs impacted on actual behavior change. New approaches to test these relationships are needed. Challenges and several alternatives are discussed.
- Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of The PERMA-ProfilerPublication . Alves, Marcela Almeida; Palmer, Stephen; Gouveia, Maria JoãoThis study evaluates the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of The PERMA Profiler in a sample of 1258 Portuguese adults (72.3% females) with a mean age of 36.74 years (SD = 11.313). The PERMA Profiler is a questionnaire that assesses the five dimensions of psychological flourishing, according to Seligman’s well-being theory. According to this theory, the well-being pillars known by the acronym PERMA are positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test Seligman’s model. Results support a reasonable model fit for the five-factor model, but based on the results of bootstrap sample analysis the model was not confirmed. There is also a lack of discriminant validity between PERMA constructs and a lack of validity and reliability of engagement factor. Internal consistency was satisfactory for all five sub-scales, except for engagement. Concurrent validity was demonstrated through the strong and very strong correlations between the PERMA factors and Flourishing Scale. A Portuguese version of The PERMA Profiler is a new tool to assist researchers to refine the measurement and understanding of well-being in Portuguese cultures. Future recommendations and limitations are highlighted.