BACKGROUND
Self Determination Theory (SDT) conceptualizes human motivation in terms of a spectrum. However, literature is scarce on how to measure self-determination in different languages or how self-determination can influence the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt a psychometric questionnaire on self-determination (TSRQ) as well as SMS booster messages for a Brief Negotiational Intervention (BNI) aimed at reducing harmful alcohol use among injury patients presenting at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi, Tanzania.
METHODS
A mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the TSRQ and SMS booster messages. Likert-scale surveys were administered to expert panels to assess translation quality and adherence to theory.
RESULTS
Quantitative analyses confirmed that the Swahili translation of the TSRQ accurately reflected SDT constructs. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed a two-domain model had a better fit than the original three-domain TSRQ. Expert panel surveys indicated that the SMS booster messages maintained strong connections to tenets of SDT.
CONCLUSIONS
This was the first study to conduct a cross-cultural validation of the TSRQ in Tanzania and Tanzanian Swahili and the first to implement and assess motivational constructs in SMS booster messages for a BNI to promote safe alcohol use. The TSRQ is a valid, clinically useful scale, but could be improved with more items. SMS booster messages touch on many SDT constructs, affirming their motivational utility.