Assessment of Motivational Cognitions in Diabetes Self-Care: the Motivation Thought Frequency Scales for Glucose Testing, Physical Activity and Healthy Eating.
There is a need for improved measurement of motivation for diabetes self-care. The Elaborated Intrusion Theory of Desire offers a coherent framework for understanding and identifying the cognitive-affective events that constitute the subjective experience of motivation and may therefore inform the development of such an instrument. Recent research has shown the resultant Motivation Thought Frequency scale (MTF) to have a stable factor structure (Intensity, Incentives Imagery, Self-Efficacy Imagery, Availability) when applied to physical activity, excessive snacking or alcohol use in the general population. The current study aimed to confirm the four-factor structure of the MTF for glucose testing, physical activity and healthy eating in people with type 2 diabetes. Associations with self-reports of concurrent diabetic self-care behaviours were also examined.



Confirmatory factor analyses tested the internal structure, and multiple regressions assessed the scale's relationship with concurrent self-care behaviours. The MTF was completed by 340 adults with type 2 diabetes, and 237 from that sample also reported self-care behaviours. Separate MTFs assessed motivation for glucose testing, physical activity and healthy eating. Self-care was assessed using questions from the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities.



The MTF for each goal achieved an acceptable fit on all indices after selected errors within factors were allowed to intercorrelate. Intensity and Self-Efficacy Imagery provided the strongest and most consistent correlations with relevant self-care behaviours.



Results provide preliminary support for the MTF in a diabetes sample. Testing of its sensitivity to change and its predictive utility over time is needed.
The Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. sparham@wesleyresearch.com.au.|Wesley Medical Research, The Wesley Hospital, PO Box 499, Toowong, QLD, 4066, Australia. sparham@wesleyresearch.com.au.
Sophie C
SC
Parham
The Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
David J
DJ
Kavanagh
Schools of Medicine, Public Health and Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Christian A
CA
Gericke
School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
Neil
N
King
School of Psychology, Cognition Institute, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
Jon
J
May
School of Psychology, Cognition Institute, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK.
Jackie
J
Andrade
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D015444:Exercise; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D020377:Self Efficacy
D005947:Glucose
Assessment; Cognition; Diabetes; Imagery; Motivation; Self-management