Low goal ownership predicts drop-out from a weight intervention study in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Drop-out is a major problem in weight loss studies. Although previous attrition research has examined some predictors of drop-out, theoretically grounded research on psychological predictors of drop-out from weight interventions has been lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To examine psychological predictors of drop-out from a weight reduction study in diabetes type 2 patients.


METHODS
A clinical trial was conducted with 101 overweight/obese (body mass index >27) diabetes type 2 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to a self-regulation intervention, an active control group, and a passive control group. Psychological, somatic, socio-demographic, and lifestyle variables were examined as predictors of drop-out from baseline to 6 months follow-up.


RESULTS
Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that low autonomous regulation or low 'goal ownership' was the best predictor of drop-out.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that the assessment of 'goal ownership' prior to a weight reduction intervention could identify patients who are sufficiently motivated to participate. Patients who score low on 'goal ownership' may be offered pretreatment interventions to increase their motivation.
Huisman
Sasja
S
Section of Clinical and Health Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, PO Box 9555, 2300 RB, Leiden, The Netherlands. shuisman@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Maes
Stan
S
De Gucht
Véronique J
VJ
Chatrou
Marlène
M
Haak
Harm R
HR
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy