Identifying and classifying behaviour and motivation change techniques based on self-determination theory

Abstract

Background/purpose: While evidence suggests that interventions based on self-determination theory can be effective in motivating adoption and maintenance of health-related behaviours, and in promoting adaptive psychological outcomes, the motivational techniques that comprise the content of these interventions have not been comprehensively identified or described. The aim of the present study was to develop a classification system of the techniques that comprise self-determination theory interventions, with satisfaction of psychological needs as an organizing principle. Method: Candidate techniques were identified through a comprehensive review of self-determination theory interventions and nomination by experts. The study teamdeveloped a preliminary list of candidate techniques accompanied by labels, definitions, and function descriptions of each. Each technique was aligned with the most closely related psychological need satisfaction construct (autonomy, competence, or relatedness). Using an iterative expert consensus procedure, participating experts (N=18) judged each technique on the preliminary list for redundancy, essentiality, uniqueness, and the proposed link between the technique and basic psychological need. Results: The procedure produced a final classification of 21 motivation and behaviour change techniques (MBCTs). Redundancies between final MBCTs against techniques from existing behaviour change technique taxonomies were also checked. Conclusions and implications: The classification system is the first formal attempt to systematize self-determination theory intervention techniques. The classification is expected to enhance consistency in descriptions of self-determination theory-based interventions in health contexts and assist in facilitating synthesis of evidence on interventions based on the theory. The classification is also expected to guide future efforts to identify, describe, and classify the techniques that comprise selfdetermination theory-based interventions in multiple domains.