PARENT-TEEN INTERDEPENDENCE IN MOTIVATIONS TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE

Abstract

With rates of obesity inclining among adolescent and adult populations, finding ways in which we can decrease these numbers is important for the health of our country. A key, modifiable variable relevant for prevention and intervention efforts is motivation. Motivation refers to how one moves themselves to act, either by intrinsic or external forces. The aim of this study was to examine the interdependent relationship among intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and self-reported physical activity (PA) in a parent-adolescent dyad using an Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Specifically, the goal was to better understand how these relationships differ when the adolescent is male or female. The sample from the study consisted of 1,854 dyads who enrolled in the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health and Eating (FLASHE) Study. Participants answered questions about their intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and self-reported weekly minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity. Analysis was run using an actor-partner interdependence model within the statistical software package MPlus. In addition, a multiple group analysis was run to assess differences in female and male adolescents. Significant actor effects were found for both adolescent and parents intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on their weekly MVPA. Only one significant partner effect was observed. Adolescents’ intrinsic motivation was significantly positively associated with their parents’ reports of MVPA. Multiple group models demonstrated differences in motivation in males and females suggesting that motivations for physical activity vary by gender.