Exploring the relationships between psychological flexibility, intrinsic motivation, and health-promoting behaviors among people with multiple sclerosis

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable and a progressive central nervous system disorder. People with MS experience high levels of anxiety and stress, which significantly deteriorates their quality of life. Psychological flexibility (PF) can help relieve these symptoms, and along with medical treatment, it is recommended to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Intrinsic motivation is a key to maintain healthy behaviors for the long term because physical and cognitive abilities may worsen as the disease progresses. It is essential to understand how psychological flexibility can support intrinsic motivation and to what extent intrinsic motivation can support various health-promoting behaviors. Methods: One hundred and thirty eight individuals with MS reported their sociodemographic characteristics and completed an online self-reported survey assessing their psychological flexibility, intrinsic motivation, and health-promoting lifestyle. Results: Findings suggest that some domains psychological flexibility are significantly related to intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is significantly correlated with health-promoting behaviors. When evaluating the contributors of health-promoting behaviors, positive affect (PF) and intrinsic motivation were consistent predictors. Perceived disability level, gender, and race must be considered when assessing the frequency of engaging in health-promoting behaviors. Conclusion: Results suggest that some psychological flexibility domains and intrinsic motivation play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles among people with MS. Further research is needed to provide more nuanced insights into the relationships between variables.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Yerkin, Madina

Contributors dc:contributor

• Chiu, Chung-Yi
• Chin, Jessie
• Gao, Xiaotian

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Psychological Flexibility
• Intrinsic Motivation
• Health-promoting Lifestyle.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Madina Yerkin

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120539

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120539