Using self-determination theory to understand and improve recruitment for the Coaching for Healthy Ageing

• Published in: PloS one 2021-11, Vol.16 (11), p.e0259873
• Main Authors: Haynes, Abby, Sherrington, Catherine, Wallbank, Geraldine, Wickham, James, Tong, Allison, Kirkham, Catherine, Manning, Shona, Ramsay, Elisabeth, Tiedemann, Anne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Evaluation; Health aspects; Physical fitness; Self-examination, Medical
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259873

We conducted a secondary thematic analysis of interview data from our wider qualitative evaluation in which 32 purposively sampled trial participants took part in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of CHAnGE. Data relating to recruitment and participation were analysed inductively to identify themes, then a coding framework comprising the core constructs from self-determination theory-autonomy, competence and relatedness-was used to explore if and how this theory fit with and helped to explain our data. Recruitment presentations promoted the CHAnGE intervention well in terms of addressing value expectations of structured support, different forms of accountability, credibility, achievability and, for some, a potential to enhance social relationships. Participation was motivated by the desire for improved health and decelerated ageing, altruism and curiosity. These factors related strongly to self-determination concepts of autonomy, competence and relatedness, but the intervention's demonstrated potential to support self-determination needs could be conveyed more effectively.