Mindfulness and Motivation: A Process View Using Self-Determination Theory

2021 ◽  
pp. 096372142110095
Author(s):  
Richard M. Ryan ◽  
James N. Donald ◽  
Emma L. Bradshaw

Mindfulness and motivation are both highly researched topics of great consequence for individual and social wellness. Using the lens of self-determination theory, we review evidence indicating that mindfulness is differentially related to different types of motivations, playing a facilitating role for highly autonomous forms of motivation, but not for externally controlled or introjected (self-controlling) forms of motivation. A key contribution of this review is our contention that mindfulness confers a range of intra- and interindividual benefits (e.g., well-being and prosociality) in part through its relation to autonomous motivations, a claim for which we outline preliminary evidence. Finally, we discuss how future research connecting mindfulness and motivation is important for both fields of study, for applied practices in areas such as psychotherapy and business, and for enhancing understanding of the processes underlying human wellness.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Waterschoot ◽  
Sofie Morbée ◽  
Branko Vermote ◽  
Katrijn Brenning ◽  
Nele Flamant ◽  
...  

Although the COVID-19 crisis is a worldwide threat to individuals’ physical health and psychological well-being, not all people are equally susceptible to increased ill-being. One potentially important factor in individuals’ vulnerability (versus resilience) to ill- being in the face of stress is emotion regulation. On the basis of Self-Determination Theory, this study examined the role of three emotion regulation styles in individuals’ mental health during the COVID-19 crisis, that is, integration, suppression, and dysregulation. Participants were 6584 adults (77 % female, M age = 45.16 years) who filled out well-validated measures of emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and sleep quality. To examine naturally occurring combinations of emotion regulation strategies, hierarchical k-means clustering was performed, yielding 3 profiles: (a) low scores on all strategies (indicating rather low overall levels of worry; 27%), (b) high scores on integration only (41%), and (c) high scores on suppression and dysregulation (33%). Participants in the profiles scoring high on suppression and dysregulation displayed a less favorable pattern of outcomes (high ill-being, low life satisfaction, and poorer sleep quality) compared to the other two groups. Between- cluster differences remained significant even when taking into account the corona- related worries experienced by people. Overall, the findings underscore the important role of emotion regulation in individuals’ mental health during mentally challenging periods such as the COVID-19 crisis. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara Manganelli ◽  
Anaïs Thibault-Landry ◽  
Jacques Forest ◽  
Joëlle Carpentier

The Problem According to self-determination theory (SDT), employees can experience different types of motivation with respect to their work. The presence of the different types of motivation is important given that, compared with controlled regulation (introjected and extrinsic motivation), autonomous regulation (intrinsic and identified motivation) leads to a host of positive individual and organizational outcomes. Despite this empirically validated phenomenon, managers remain unaware of the outcomes of motivation in the workplace and of the practices that can foster autonomous regulation through psychological need satisfaction. The focus of the article will be to review relevant literature to reveal the benefits that SDT principles can bring to the workplace. The Solution Managers are encouraged to promote autonomous regulation first by assessing their employees’ motivation for a particular outcome and by structuring three elements of the work environment (job design, interpersonal relationships/leadership, and compensation) in such a way as to facilitate need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Some questions we try to answer are as follows: What are the outcomes of different motivation types in the workplace? Why are an employee’s basic psychological needs important to consider? What kinds of tools are available to assess employees’ motivation with regard to their work? Which work practices are likely to encourage autonomous regulation? The Stakeholders Employees, managers (individuals in direct contact with employees), leaders (individuals who oftentimes are in a position to influence organizational strategies and processes) and human resource development (HRD) practitioners interested in stimulating optimal functioning at work.


2021 ◽  
pp. 174569162096678
Author(s):  
Joshua L. Howard ◽  
Julien Bureau ◽  
Frédéric Guay ◽  
Jane X. Y. Chong ◽  
Richard M. Ryan

Student outcomes are influenced by different types of motivation that stem from external incentives, ego involvement, personal value, and intrinsic interest. The types of motivation described in self-determination theory each co-occur to different degrees and should lead to different consequences. The associations with outcomes are due in part to unique characteristics and in part to the degree of autonomy each entails. In the current meta-analysis, we examine these different types of motivation in 344 samples (223,209 participants) as they relate to 26 performance, well-being, goal orientation, and persistence-related student outcomes. Findings highlight that intrinsic motivation is related to student success and well-being, whereas personal value (identified regulation) is particularly highly related to persistence. Ego-involved motives (introjected regulation) were positively related to persistence and performance goals but also positively related with indicators of ill-being. Motivation driven by a desire to obtain rewards or avoid punishment (external regulation) was not associated with performance or persistence but was associated with decreased well-being. Finally, amotivation was related to poor outcomes. Relative weights analysis further estimates the degree to which motivation types uniquely predict outcomes, highlighting that identified regulation and intrinsic motivation are likely key factors for school adjustment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 945-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Roth ◽  
Maarten Vansteenkiste ◽  
Richard M. Ryan

AbstractGrounded in self-determination theory's (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2017) organismic perspective, we present a process view of integrative emotion regulation. SDT describes three general types of emotion regulation: integrative emotion regulation, which focuses on emotions as carrying information that is brought to awareness; controlled emotion regulation, which is focused on diminishing emotions through avoidance, suppression, or enforced expression or reappraisal; and amotivated emotion regulation, in which emotions are uncontrolled or dysregulated. We review survey and experimental research contrasting these emotion regulation styles, providing evidence for the benefits of integrative emotion regulation for volitional functioning, personal well-being, and high-quality relationships, and for the costs of controlled emotion regulation and dysregulation. The development of emotion regulation styles is discussed, especially the role of autonomy-supportive parenting in fostering more integrative emotion regulation, and the role of controlling parenting in contributing to controlled or dysregulated emotion processing. Overall, integrative emotion regulation represents a beneficial style of processing emotions, which develops most effectively in a nonjudgmental and autonomy-supportive environment, an issue relevant to both development and psychotherapy.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 780-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gibson ◽  
Silvia Seibold

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how the role of marketing for luxury brands can be re-thought in order to ensure that such brands establish a strong connection between their luxury image and positive social and environmental values. Design/methodology/approach – The findings are based upon qualitative empirical research which informed a new categorisation of consumer motivations, through the application of self-determination theory which shows how concerns for environmental and social sustainability can be integrated with individual psychological needs. Findings – The findings provide a deep understanding of consumers of luxury-eco products which could be used by marketing practitioners to shape socially responsible purchasing decisions. Research limitations/implications – The research was designed for theory building, not theory-testing, so future research would be needed to study the efficacy of the recommended strategies for encouraging eco-luxury behaviour. Practical implications – To increase the likelihood of practical applications, the authors follow the presentation of their findings with suggestions and examples for marketing to each of the consumer types identified by their research. Social implications – The findings of this research have implications of a global, environmental and social kind. The societal adoption of eco-luxury consumption is about educating consumer desire, shifting it from its current focus on personal satisfaction, to a higher level of personal and social flourishing. Originality/value – The findings effectively support the claims of self-determination theory by demonstrating how and why consumer motivations differ and how an improved sense of well-being can be achieved through internalised levels of self-determination.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yemaya Halbrook ◽  
Aisling Therese O'Donnell ◽  
Rachel M. Msetfi

As social video games are increasing in popularity, it is important to understand how this can impact an individual’s social well-being, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. We focus here on how the relationship one has with those they play video games with relates to social well-being. We further applied the self-determination theory to determine what role, if any, autonomy, competence, and relatedness play in this relationship. Results indicate that playing with ‘known others’ predicts the highest levels of social well-being when compared to playing with online acquaintances. Further, autonomy, competence, and relatedness all predict high levels of social well-being and mediate the relation between a player’s relationship to other players and social well-being. This suggests that social video gaming is beneficially linked to social well-being, but only when played with others with whom the gamer has a known relationship. Implications and future research are also discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. 423-430
Author(s):  
Maike Luhmann

Abstract Psychological research has long been interested in whether helping can make people happy. This article summarizes empirical evidence and theoretical models on the relationship between helping and well-being. Empirical studies indicate a significant, but weak positive relationship between helping behaviors and well-being. The functional approach and self-determination theory are two theoretical frameworks that are particularly relevant for interdisciplinary investigations of this topic. The article concludes with a discussion of open questions and avenues for future research.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Cooper ◽  
Whitney O. Peake

Nordstrom and Jennings (2017) provide an in-depth view of the Hutterite Brethren community to theorize family business practices and their association with familial well-being. Drawing from self-determination theory, we extend their model to provide additional theoretical development regarding the role of task and enterprise practices in satisfying basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), promoting motivation, and fostering family member well-being. Although the Hutterite community’s practices likely facilitate high levels of competence and relatedness, there is potential for autonomy need deficits. As such, we address areas for future research regarding need fulfillment and well-being in family businesses.


2020 ◽  
pp. 29-54
Author(s):  
Sebastiano Costa ◽  
Francesca Liga ◽  
Maria Cristina Gugliandolo ◽  
Simona Sireno ◽  
Rosalba Larcan ◽  
...  

Self-determination theory has become a consolidated theoretical framework to deepen the psychological control construct. Numerous studies have widely investigated the consequences of the use of this parenting strategy during the life cycle. Although studies focused on the antecedents of parental psychological control are not so numerous, they provide an interesting picture that needs to be systematized and organized. For this reason, this narra-tive review was aimed at describing the studies on the antecedents of psychological control that used SDT as a theoretical framework. These studies were structured according to three categories: Parental Characteristics (or pressure from within), Child Characteristics (pres-sure from below), and Family Social Environment Characteristics (pressure from above). The results highlighted a wealth of studies in each category and indicating the need to con-tinue this line of studies in the future through the integration of the different types of ante-cedents too.


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