Personality systems interactions theory: an integrative framework complementing the study of the motivational and volitional dynamics underlying adjustment to chronic pain

In the endeavor to advance our understanding of interindividual differences in dealing with chronic pain, numerous motivational theories have been invoked in the past decade. As they focus on relevant, yet different aspects of the dynamic, multilevel processes involved in human voluntary action control, research findings seem fragmented and inconsistent. Here we present Personality Systems Interactions theory as an integrative meta-framework elucidating how different motivational and volitional processes work in concert under varying contextual conditions. PSI theory explains experience and behavior by the relative activation of four cognitive systems that take over different psychological functions during goal pursuit. In this way, it may complement existing content-related explanations of clinical phenomena by introducing a functional, third-person perspective on flexible goal management, pain acceptance and goal maintenance despite pain. In line with emerging evidence on the central role of emotion regulation in chronic pain, PSI theory delineates how the self-regulation of positive and negative affect impacts whether behavior is determined by rigid stimulus-response associations (i.e., habits) or by more abstract motives and values which afford more behavioral flexibility. Along with testable hypotheses, multimodal interventions expected to address intuitive emotion regulation as a central process mediating successful adaptation to chronic pain are discussed.

Young children's motivations and social cognitions toward swimming: Testing direct and moderation effects of sport competence in two large-scale studies

Direct and moderation effects of swimming competence using an integrated model of self-determination theory (SDT) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB) were examined in two large-scale studies among young children. Specifically, we examined whether swimming competence had direct and moderation effects on social psychological variables of perceived need support, autonomous motivation, TPB social cognition constructs, and intention. In Study 1, using a cross-sectional survey of 4959 primary school children, swimming competence formed significant positive relationships with all model variables (β =.061 to.330, p < .05) except intention (β = -.009, p > .05), and its moderation effect on model parameters were small in size or not statistically significant. In Study 2, using a pre-post-test quasi-experiment among 1,609 primary school children, improvement of swimming competence was associated with change-scores in all model variables (β =.046 to.230, p < .05) except subjective norm (β =.049, p > .05). Swimming competence did not significantly moderate the parameter estimates of the integrated model (p > .05) at the change-score level. Findings indicate that swimming competence is associated with higher autonomous motivation; TPB social cognitions of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control; and intention. However, swimming competence did not moderate the parameter estimates of the integrated model.

Elephant in the Room: A Methodology for Case Studies Metasynthesis

The Relationships Between Categories (RBC) technique is a qualitative methodology for the metasynthesis of psychoanalytic case studies. By analyzing repetitive bilateral, trilateral, or quadrilateral relationships of transference themes, this methodology seeks to analyze case studies with existing theoretical concepts, thereby formulating a new theory. The proposed tool attempts to explore and validate hidden connections between different psychotherapy components, thus enhancing integration of various bodies of knowledge and decreasing the gap between practice and theory. This methodology is demonstrated here by research on transference case studies that connect transference to components of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Theoretical, Critical, and Practical Reflections on the Long-Term Maintenance of Health Behavior Change

This commentary is in response to Joseph, Daniel, Thind, Benitez and Pekmezi (2014). They reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included long-term follow-up assessments at least 6 months post-intervention. Their main purpose was to understand which theory or model used by researchers could help explain the long-term maintenance of health behaviors once the intervention was withdrawn in trials focused on physical activity, dietary behavior, and excessive alcohol consumption. Results showed that social cognitive theory (SCT) and transtheoretical model (TTM) were used most often and associated with long-term behavior change compared to self-determination theory (SDT), theory of planned behavior (TPB), or the social-ecological model (SEM). SDT showed encouraging findings while the evidence was unclear for the TPB and the SEM. Here it is argued that scientists should continually reflect on the utility of theory over time and the efforts by Joseph and colleagues should be commended. It is also useful to distinguish theories, which are more specified and offer more generalized statements, than models. Models, such as the TPB and SEM, have incorporated elements of other theories but are typically viewed as tools to characterize behavior. For instance, in 10 studies reviewed by Joseph and colleagues the SCT and TTM were used in an integrative manner. An example of an integrated model is presented that incorporates elements of SDT, TPB, and SCT in an effort to highlight how integrating elements from multiple theories may be useful.

The Trans-Contextual Model of Autonomous Motivation in Education: Conceptual and Empirical Issues and Meta-Analysis

The trans-contextual model outlines the processes by which autonomous motivation toward activities in a physical education context predicts autonomous motivation toward physical activity outside of school, and beliefs about, intentions toward, and actual engagement in, out-of-school physical activity. In the present article, we clarify the fundamental propositions of the model and resolve some outstanding conceptual issues, including its generalizability across multiple educational domains, criteria for its rejection or failed replication, the role of belief-based antecedents of intentions, and the causal ordering of its constructs. We also evaluate the consistency of model relationships in previous tests of the model using path-analytic meta-analysis. The analysis supported model hypotheses but identified substantial heterogeneity in the hypothesized relationships across studies unattributed to sampling and measurement error. Based on our meta-analysis, future research needs to provide further replications of the model in diverse educational settings beyond physical education and test model hypotheses using experimental methods.

Combining motivational and volitional approaches to reducing excessive alcohol consumption in pre-drinkers: a theory-based intervention protocol

BACKGROUND

Pre-drinking refers to the consumption of alcohol at home or a private residence prior to attending a subsequent social event. We present the study protocol of an online theory-based intervention to reduce pre-drinking and related harm in pre-drinking undergraduates, using behavior change techniques targeting the motivational and volitional phases of behaviour.

DESIGN

A fully randomized 2 (autonomy support: present vs. absent) x 2 (implementation intention: present vs. absent) between-participants design will be used to ascertain the effectiveness of the intervention in reducing pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm. Participants will complete a range of theory-based measures prior to being allocated to one of the four experimental conditions. Four weeks later, participants will complete a follow-up questionnaire comprised of theoretical and behavioral measures.

ANALYSES

The main and interactive effects of the intervention components in reducing our primary dependent variables, namely, pre-drinking alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm at four-week follow-up will be tested. Baseline alcohol consumption and demographic information will be included in the analysis as covariates.

DISCUSSION

This online intervention is the first to be developed to reduce pre-drinking alcohol consumption, a behaviour linked to increased risk of alcohol-related harm. The intervention targets motivational and volitional components of the behaviour change process and is therefore likely to lead to greater reductions in pre-drinking alcohol consumption and experience of alcohol-related harm compared to either approach in isolation. If successful, the intervention can be implemented across various contexts and in populations where pre-drinking is prevalent.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ACTRN12614001102662 . Registered 16 October 2014.

Cognitive-Existential Family Therapy: A Proposed Theoretical Integration Model for Pastoral Counselors

Fundamental Christianity and psychology are frequently viewed as incompatible pursuits. However, proponents of the integrationist movement posit that pastoral counselors can utilize principles from psychology if they adopt the premise that all truth is God's truth. Assuming this perspective, Cognitive-Existential Family Therapy (CEFT) - a theoretical integration model compatible with Christian fundamentalism - is proposed. The philosophical assumptions and models of personality, health, and abnormality are explored. Additionally, the article provides an overview of the therapeutic process.