Self-determined motivation and its effects on health-based self-regulatory processes

Performing exercise regularly is important for individual and society, yet effective self-regulation can be difficult. The present thesis builds upon previous literature by examining whether the content of individuals motives influence their ability to effectively self-regulate in the exercise domain. It is well-known autonomous motives enhance optimal exercise engagement relative to controlling motives. However, it is not well understood whether these motives also explain the frequency of, and emotional responses to, lapse, outcomes of which have implications for long-term exercise adherence. Similarly, although a positive link between autonomous motivation and the ability to persist amidst adversity may explain broader self-regulatory outcomes (e.g., greater exercise longevity), it is not comprehensively known whether priming autonomous motivation, which may complement more explicit motivational manipulations, can also promote persistence. Interestingly, priming autonomous motivation may also render individuals more inclined to plan more optimal exercise plans following persistence-requiring engagement, however, this effect has only been demonstrated in the absence of prior persistence. Finally, although distinct motives for exercise explain adherence to attendance-related intentions (e.g., ‘I will go to the gym today’), whether these motives also explain adherence to effort-related exercise intentions (e.g., ‘I will exercise at a high-intensity today’) remains uninvestigated. [Continues.]