Grit and motivation as predictors of stages of change towards weight control in an adult population
Abstract
Given the increasing percentage of overweight and obesity worldwide, weight control is a primary health-promoting behaviour. Integrating Grit personality, self-determination theory, and the transtheoretical model of change, this study evaluates Grit personality and motivation as psychological antecedents of the stages of change towards weight control. A total of 1351 Mexican adults between 18 and 65 years of age completed a packet of questionnaires on the variables of interest. The results showed that Grit personality was positively and significantly related to the maintenance, action, preparation, and contemplation stages, and negatively and significantly related to the precontemplation stage, through the types of motivation (autonomous, controlled, and amotivation), suggesting that Grit personality and motivation are important attributes to take into account in the change towards weight control. This study provides tools to help professionals involved in nutritional consultation to understand weight control adherence, thus promoting a better interdisciplinary approach to overweight and obesity.
Downloads
References
Ato, M., López, J. J., & Benavente, A. (2013). Un sistema de clasificación de los diseños de investigación en psicología [A classification system for research designs in psychology]. Anales de Psicología/Annals of Psychology, 29(3), 1038-1059. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.29.3.178511
Armon, G., Melamed, S., Shirom, A., Shapira, I., & Berliner, S. (2013). Personality traits and body weight measures: Concurrent and across-time associations. European Journal of Personality, 27, 398-408. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.1902
Carvalho, M., Mingoti, S., Cardoso, C., Mendonça, R., & Lopes, A. (2015). Intervention based on Transtheoretical model promotes anthropometric and nutritional improvements: A randomized controlled trial. Eating Behaviors, 17, 37-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2014.12.007
Caspi, A., Begg, D., Dickson, N., Harrington, H., Langley, J., & Moffit, T. (1997). Personality differences predict health-risk behaviours in young adulthood: Evidence from a longitudinal study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73, 1052-1063. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.73.5.1052
Cormier, D., Dunn, J., & Causgrove, D. (2019). Examining the domain specificity of grit. Personality and Individual Differences, 139, 349-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2018.11.026
Credé, M., Tynan, M., & Harms, P (2017). Much ado about grit: A meta-analytic synthesis of the grit literature. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(3), 492-511. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000102
Cronbach, L. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555
Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (2000). The “What” and “Why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology, 49(3), 182-185. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0012801
Deci, E., & Ryan, R. (2012). Overview of self-determination theory. In R. Ryan (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of human motivation (pp. 85-105). Oxford University Press.
Deci, E., Egharari, H., Patrick, B., & Leone, D. (1994). Facilitating internalization: The Self‐determination theory perspective. Journal of Personality, 62(1), 119-142. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1994.tb00797.x
Duckworth, A. (2016). The power of passion and perseverance. Simon & Schuster Inc.
Duckworth, A., & Gross, J. (2014). Self-control and grit: Related but separable determinants of success. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 23(5), 319-325. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721414541462
Duckworth, A., & Quinn, P. (2009). Development and validation of the short Grit scale (Grit-S). Journal of Personality Assessment, 91(2), 166-174. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223890802634290
Duckworth, A., Peterson, C., Matthews, M., & Kelly, D. (2007). Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(6), 1087-1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087
Giles-Corti B., & Donovan, R. J. (2002). The relative influence of individual, social and physical environment determinants of physical activity. Social Science & Medicine, 54(12), 1793-1812. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(01)00150-2
Hair, J., Anderson, R., Tatham, R., & Black, W. (1999). Análisis Multivariante (5ª ed). Prentice-Hall.
ITC (2018). ITC Guidelines for translating and adapting tests (second edition). International Journal of Testing, 18, 101-134. https://doi.org/10.1080/15305058.2017.1398166
Krebs, P., Norcross, J., Nicholson, J., & Prochaska, J. (2018). Stages of change and psychotherapy outcomes: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 1964-1979. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22683
Marcus, B., Selby, V., Nlaura, R., & Rossi, J. (1992). Self-efficacy and the stages of exercise behavior change. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 63(1), 60-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.1992.10607557
Marentes-Castillo, M., Zamarripa, J., & Castillo, I. (2019). Validation of the Grit scale and the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (TSRQ) to the Mexican context. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 51, 9-18. https://dx.doi.org/10.14349/rlp.2019.v51.n1.2
Marentes-Castillo, M., Castillo, I., Tomás, I., Zamarripa, J., & Alvarez, O. (2022). Understanding the antecedents of healthy and unhealthy weight-control behaviors: Grit, motivation, and self-control. Public Health Nutrition, 25(6), 1483-1491. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021004791
Mastellos, N., Gunn, L., Felix, L., Car, J., & Majeed, A. (2014). Transtheoretical model stages of change for dietary and physical exercise modification in weight loss management for overweight and obese adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2, CD008066. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008066.pub3
Monds, L. A., MacCann, C., Mullan, B. A., Wong, C., Todd, J., & Roberts, R. D. (2016). Can personality close the intention-behavior gap for healthy eating? An examination with the HEXACO personality traits. Psychology, health & medicine, 21(7), 845–855. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2015.1112416
Morgan, W., & Dishman, R. (2001). Adherence to exercise and physical activity. Quest, 53, 277-278.
National Institute of Public Health/Secretary of Health (2020). National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19: National Results. https://www.insp.mx/produccion-editorial/novedades-editoriales/ensanut-2018-nacionales
Ntoumanis, N., Prestwich, A., Quested, E., Hancox, J., Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., Deci, E., Ryan, R., Lonsdale, C., & Williams, G. (2021). A meta-analysis of self-determination theory-informed intervention studies in the health domain: effects on motivation, health behavior, physical, and psychological health. Health Psychology Review, 15(2), 214-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/17437199.2020.1718529
Palmeira, A., Teixeria, P., Branco, R., Martins, S., Minderico, C., Barata, J., Serpa, S., & Sardinha, L. (2007). Predicting short-term weight loss using four leading health behavior changes theories. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 4, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-4-14
Panamerican Health Organization (2021). Prevención de la obesidad [Obesity prevention]. https://www.paho.org/es/temas/prevencion-obesidad
Ponnock, A., Muenks, K., Morell, M., Seung, Y., Gladstone, J., & Wigfield, A (2020). Grit and conscientiousness: Another jangle fallacy. Journal of Research in Personality, 89, 104021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2020.104021
Prochaska, J. O., DiClemente, C. C., & Norcross, J. C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47(9), 1102–1114. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.47.9.1102
Prochaska, J., & DiClemente, C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390-395. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.51.3.390
Räikkönen, K., Matthews, K., & Salomon, K (2003). Hostility predicts metabolic syndrome risk factors in children and adolescents. Health Psychology, 22, 279-286. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.22.3.279
Reed, J. (2014). A survey of Grit and exercise behavior. Journal of Sport Behavior, 37(4), 390-406.
Reed, J., Pritschet, B., & Cutton (2013). Grit, conscientiousness, and the transtheoretical model of change for exercise behavior. Journal of Health Psychology, 18(5), 612-619. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312451866
Rhodes, R., & Smith, N. (2006). Personality correlates of physical activity: A review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(12), 958-965. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.028860
Robinson, E., Roberts, C., Vainik, U., & Jones, A. (2020). The psychology of obesity: An umbrella review and evidence-based map of the psychological correlates of heavier body weight. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 119, 468-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.009
Rothman, A. (2000). Toward a theory-based analysis of behavioral maintenance. Health Psychology, 19(1), 65-69. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.19.Suppl1.64
Rothman, A. (2004). Is there nothing more practical than a good theory?” Why innovations and advances in health behavior change will arise if interventions are used to test and refine theory. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 27(1), article 11. https://doi.org/ 10.1186/1479-5868-1-11
Ryan, R., & Deci, E (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. The Guilford Press.
Santos, I., Silva, M., & Teixeira, P. (2016). A self-determination theory perspective on weight loss maintenance. European Health Psychology Society, 18(5), 194-199.
Schimschal, S., Visentin, D., Kornhaber, R., & Cleary, M. (2021). Grit: A concept analysis. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 42(5), 495-505. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2020.1814913
Schmidt, F., Nay, G., Fleckenstein, J., Möller, J., & Retelsdorf, J. (2018). Same same, but different? Relations between facets of conscientiousness and grit. European Journal of Personality, 32(6), 705-720. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2171
Sharkey, C., Bakula, D., Gamwell, K., Mullins, A., Chaney, J., & Mullins, L (2017). The role of grit in college student health care management skills and health-related quality of life. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 42(9), 952-961. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsx073
Silva, M., Markland, D., Vieira, P., Coutinho, S., Carraça, E., Palmeira, A., Minderico, C., Matos, M., Sardinha, L., & Teixeira, P. (2010). Helping overweight women become more active: Need support and motivational regulations for different forms of physical activity. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11(6), 591-601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.06.011
Sutin, A. R., Ferrucci, L., Zonderman, A. B., & Terracciano, A. (2011). Personality and obesity across the adult life span. Journal of personality and social psychology, 101(3), 579–592. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024286
Teixeira, P. Silva, M., Mata, J., Palmeira, A., & Markland, D. (2012). Motivation, self-determination, and long-term weight control. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9, 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-9-22
Teixeira, P., & Mata, P. (2011). Why we eat what we eat: The role of autonomous motivation in eating behaviour regulation. Nutrition Bulletin, 36(1), 102-107. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2010.01876.x
Teixeira, P., Carraca, E., Marques, M., Rutter, H., Oppert, J., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Lakerveld, J., & Johannes, B. (2015). Successful behavior change in obesity interventions in adults: A systematic review of self-regulation mediators. BMC Medicine, 13(1), 1-16. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-015-0323-6
Teixeira, P., Going, S., Houtkooper, L., Cussler, E., Metcalfe, L., Blew, R., Sardinha, L., & Lohman, T. (2006). Exercise motivation, eating, and body image variables as predictors of weight control. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(1), 179-188. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000180906.10445.8d
Traino, K., Bakula, D., Sharkey, C., Roberts, C., Ruppe, N., Chaney, J., & Mullins, L. (2019). The role of grit in health care management skills and health-related quality of life in college students with chronic medical conditions. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 46, 72-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2019.02.035
Von Culin, K., Tsukayama, E., & Duckwroth, A. (2014). Unpacking grit: Motivational correlates of perseverance and passion for long-term goals. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 9(4), 306-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.898320
William, M., Klein, P., Grenen, E., O´Connell, M., Blanch-Hartigan, D., Wen-Ying, S., Hall, K., Taber, J., & Vogel, A. (2017). Integrating knowledge across domains to advance the science of health behavior: Overcoming challenges and facilitating success. Translational Behavioral Medicine, 7(1), 98-105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-016-0433-5
Williams, G., Grow, V., Freedman, Z., Ryan, R., & Deci, E. (1996). Motivational predictors of weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(1), 115-126. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.70.1.115
Wilson, P., Rodger, W., Loitz, C., & Scime, G. (2006). “It’s who I am … Really!’ The importance of integrated regulation in exercise contexts. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 11(2), 79-104. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9861.2006.tb00021.x
Wing, R., & Hill, J. (2001). Successful weight loss maintenance. Annual Review of Nutrition, 21(1), 323-341. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.21.1.323
World Health Organization (2004). Adherencia a los tratamientos a largo plazo: Pruebas para la acción. [Long-term treatment adherence: evidence for action] https://iris.paho.org/bitstream/handle/10665.2/41182/adherencia-largo-plazo.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
World Health Organization (2016). Informe de la comisión para acabar con la obesidad infantil [Report of the commission to end childhood obesity]. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/206450/9789243510064_spa.pdf;jsessionid=5F5E40BAD8D3AE468B17D3FBE6A4C4DC?sequence=1
World Health Organization (2020). Directrices de la OMS sobre actividad física y hábitos sedentarios [WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary habits]. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/337004/9789240014817-spa.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
World Health Organization (2021). Obesidad y sobrepeso [Obesity and overweight]. https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
World Medical Association (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. https://www.wma.net/es/policies-post/declaracion-de-helsinki-de-la-amm-principios-eticos-para-las-investigaciones-medicas-en-seres-humanos/
Copyright (c) 2022 Servicio de Publicaciones, University of Murcia (Spain)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The works published in this journal are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publications Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) retains the property rights (copyright) of published works, and encourages and enables the reuse of the same under the license specified in paragraph 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2022
2. The works are published in the online edition of the journal under a Creative Commons Reconocimiento-CompartirIgual 4.0 (legal text). You can copy, use, distribute, transmit and publicly display, provided that: i) you cite the author and the original source of publication (journal, editorial and URL of the work), ii) are not used for commercial purposes, iii ) mentions the existence and specifications of this license.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
3. Conditions of self-archiving. Is allowed and encouraged the authors to disseminate electronically pre-print versions (version before being evaluated and sent to the journal) and / or post-print (version reviewed and accepted for publication) of their works before publication, as it encourages its earliest circulation and diffusion and thus a possible increase in its citation and scope between the academic community. RoMEO Color: Green.
