“Be kind to yourself – because you’re doing fine”: using self-determination theory to explore the health-related experiences of primiparous women participating in a motivational interviewing-via-co-active life coaching intervention

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Date
2017Author
Harvey, Jacqueline
Subject
Postpartum period healthHealth behaviour change interventions
Motivational interviewing
Life coaching
Gestational weight gain
Postpartum weight retention
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Pregnancy and the postpartum period are a vulnerable time for the onset of
obesity, especially in primiparous (first-time) mothers. Because postpartum weight retention is a
strong independent risk factor for chronic disease, in addition to lifetime obesity with
compounded risk for maternal/fetal complications in subsequent pregnancies, a need for lifestyle
interventions promoting weight loss and health among primiparous mothers exists. Motivational
Interviewing-via-Co-Active Life Coaching (MI-via-CALC) has shown significant results relating
to evoking health behaviour change and weight loss in adults with obesity. However, no studies
have explored the utility of MI-via-CALC as an intervention in primiparous women – a
challenging population to reach due to competing demands and new responsibilities. As a
cognitive-behavioural technique delivered over the telephone, MI-via-CALC may be optimal in
this regard. The Co-Active model has been previously grounded in Self-determination Theory
(SDT), which focuses on the concept of motivation. Given the similarities between the tenets of
SDT and MI-via-CALC, and the notion that MI-via-CALC could support SDT’s basic
psychological needs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness), the use of this health
behaviour change method in an intervention study has been recommended.