Dataset Information

Autonomy support in a couples weight loss trial: Helping yourself while helping others.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Self-determination theory proposes that autonomy-supportive environments produce better health outcomes, and evidence demonstrating the importance of autonomy support for health behavior change has become increasingly clear. The bulk of the previous research has focused on the effects of receiving autonomy support, whereas the present study focuses on the potential impact of providing autonomy support for improving the weight loss and relationship satisfaction of the support provider.

Method

Sixty-four couples were randomized to a standard weight loss intervention or to an intervention that included training to enhance autonomy support behavior (e.g., empathic responding, accepting personal choices, etc.). Groups met weekly for 6 months, with assessments at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The assessment of provided autonomy support was based on ratings of videotaped interactions of the couple discussing weight loss issues and on partner report of the autonomy support they received.

Results

The results did not show any condition effects; however, the results for both conditions indicated that beyond receiving autonomy support, providing autonomy support was associated with greater sustained weight loss for the support provider, and for men greater relationship satisfaction over time.

Discussion

The results confirm the importance of couples-based interventions and autonomy support for behavior change. In addition, it appears that providing autonomy support is useful for both the recipient and the provider. These results point to the need for developing targeted interventions to facilitate the provision of autonomy support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

SUBMITTER: Powers TA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9380832 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Autonomy support in a couples weight loss trial: Helping yourself while helping others.

Powers Theodore A TA Koestner Richard R Denes Amanda A Cornelius Talea T Gorin Amy A AA

Families, systems & health : the journal of collaborative family healthcare 20211202 1

<h4>Introduction</h4>Self-determination theory proposes that autonomy-supportive environments produce better health outcomes, and evidence demonstrating the importance of autonomy support for health behavior change has become increasingly clear. The bulk of the previous research has focused on the effects of receiving autonomy support, whereas the present study focuses on the potential impact of providing autonomy support for improving the weight loss and relationship satisfaction of the support ...[more]

PMID: 34855419

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundObesity risk is shared between spouses, yet existing weight loss programs focus on individuals and not the marital dyad. Given the interdependence of weight in couples, weight management outcomes might be improved by targeting joint weight loss and the creation of an interpersonal milieu that supports long-term behavior change. According to Self-Determination Theory (SDT), greater autonomous self-regulation of behaviors, and subsequently better treatment outcomes, are observed in needs supportive environments in which personally meaningful choice is supported and criticism and control are minimized. Correlational analyses confirm these pathways in weight management, with needs support from one's spouse or partner emerging as a distinct predictor of weight loss success. Research is now needed to establish causal links and to develop and test weight loss interventions designed to facilitate the needs supportive behavior of spouses.MethodsProject TEAMS (Talking about Eating, Activity, and Mutual Support) is a randomized controlled trial testing a couples-based intervention, grounded in SDT, designed to change the social context of weight loss by training spouses to provide needs support for each other's eating and physical activity behavior. Sixty-four couples will be randomized to either 6 months of behavioral weight loss treatment informed by SDT (SDT-WL) or to 6 months of standard behavioral weight loss treatment (BWL). Couples will attend weekly sessions for 6 months and will be assessed at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. By bolstering needs support, SDT-WL is predicted to increase autonomous self-regulation and perceived competence and produce greater weight loss and maintenance than standard behavioral treatment. Exploratory analyses will examine the SDT process model prediction that the influence of needs support on treatment outcomes will be mediated by autonomous self-regulation and perceived competence.DiscussionThis study addresses the fundamental importance of interpersonal support in weight management by focusing on couples rather than individuals and using a rich theoretical framework to train spouses in supportive behaviors.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov ; NCT02570009 .

Dataset Information

Autonomy support in a couples weight loss trial: Helping yourself while helping others.

Introduction

Method

Results

Discussion

Publications

Autonomy support in a couples weight loss trial: Helping yourself while helping others.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets