“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

Abstract

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.