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. 2022 May 30;10(3):35608.
doi: 10.52965/001c.35608. eCollection 2022.

Relationship Between Psychological Needs and Regulatory Focus Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Morghane Aubert  1 , Céline Clavel  1 , Jean-Claude Martin  1
Affiliations

Relationship Between Psychological Needs and Regulatory Focus Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

Morghane Aubert et al. Health Psychol Res. .

Abstract

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease. A sustained change in lifestyle is generally necessary for terms of diet and physical activity. According to Self-Determination Theory, the nature of the motivation to regulate one's behavior is linked to the satisfaction of three psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. According to Regulatory Focus Theory, there is a promotion focus and a prevention focus. The prevention focus has been shown to have a different relationship with the satisfaction of the needs of the Self-Determination Theory between a general population and a population with health problems.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between psychological needs and regulatory focus for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: 295 adults with T2D completed an online questionnaire measuring autonomy and perceived competence and regulatory focus.

Results: The promotion focus predicts the satisfaction of needs for autonomy and competence (β = 1.50, p < .01). The prevention focuses positively predicts the satisfaction of autonomy and competence needs (β = 2.06, p < .001).

Conclusion: These factors display different relationships between them among people with type 2 diabetes compared to the general population. Prevention focus seems to be more beneficial in the specific context of T2D than in the general population.

Keywords: Psychological needs; Regulatory focus; Type 2 diabetes.

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Conflict of interest statement

We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

None
Figure 1. Tested model of the relationships between RFT and autonomy and competence satisfaction.
The red line represents a negative relationship between the two variables. The green line represents a positive relationship between the two variables. Yellow squares refer to RFT. Violet square refers to autonomy and perceived competence.
None
Figure 2. Significant relationships in the model tested.
Green lines indicate a positive relationship. Yellow squares refer to RFT. Violet square refers to SDT.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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