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

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.