Theoretical configuration of health motivation from the self-determination theory

Abstract

The study of human motivation is a highly complex construct with a wide variability of visions. The Self-Determination Theory (SDT) has shown a relative effectiveness and consistency in several issues related to health, such as physical activity, diet, sleep, psychological well-being or tobacco consumption. Research shows that self-determined motivation is consistent with intrinsic motivation and, in contrast, extrinsic motivation and its regulation ways can be matched to non-self-determined behaviors, reaching even a lack of motivation. The aim of this work is to draw up a theoretical construction about this model, bringing in risk perception and perceived vulnerability as elements that can change the final direction of the motivation and even improve some of its extrinsic regulations and the lack of motivation. One of the theoretical possibilities that we propose to try to neutralize the non-self-determined types is seek to increase both the personal risk perception and perceived vulnerability, as being these two variables high the likelihood of occurrence of a lack of motivation is significantly reduced, and forced actions of external regulation and introjected regulation may be buffered and increase the internalization, what could favor health behaviors.