The Role of Parents in Adolescents' Motivation and Success in Dieting: It's Not Only About Counting Calories

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Motivation in Education SIG: Poster Session 1 of 2

Abstract

The present research focused on the understudied role of parents in the types of motivation that adolescents adopt towards dieting. The study employs Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985; 2000) as the theoretical framework for this investigation. 99 participants (age 20-30) who had a weight problem during adolescence completed retrospective questionnaires about their motivation to diet and parents' behavior in the context of dieting. Using structural equation model analysis, the findings indicated a model in which parents' need-supportive behavior is positively associated with adolescents’ autonomous motivation to diet, which in turn is positively associated with success in dieting.

Authors

• Idit Katz, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

• Adi Harari, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

• Nir Madjar, Bar-Ilan University