This dissertation concerns the family context of self-determination in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) during life transitions. Although self-determination is interpreted in different ways in different disciplines, the construct is frequently used to describe the attitudes and behaviours that allow people to feel autonomous and causal in their lives. Research on self-determination in adolescents and adults with ID has commonly occurred in community and special education sectors, with an emphasis on arranging supports for people with ID to develop component self-determination skills, like choice making, problem solving, and goal setting. From the perspective of organismic-dialectical theories, people develop and express self-determination through relationships and person-environment interactions at multiple system levels. Further research on the way family interactions and supports influence the self-determination of adults with ID is important. To address this need, this dissertation includes a qualitative study presented in two manuscripts and a quantitative study presented in one manuscript. The qualitative study explored processes and challenges in the family system during significant life transitions with an adult family member with ID. Families participated in semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations of daily activities every three to four months for one year. Manuscript 1 concerns the influence of family processes on the self-determination of two young adults with ID as they attained adult roles in the community. Parents were observed to model goal setting, encourage choice making, and scaffold new skills, which helped the young adults with ID to experience autonomous motivation in their transitions. Parents reported feeling unsure of the best way to promote their adult child’s independence while ensuring his or her safety. They tried to resolve this dilemma with open and honest communication. Most interestingly, families collaborated in choice making to the extent that every family member perceived autonomy in transition planning and implementation. Manuscript 2 concerns the influence of transition processes and challenges on the quality of life and resilience of four families with an adult family member with ID. Although families reported different transition types, they progressed through similar transition stages. They invested in quality of life and self-determination as a foundation, considered future support needs, pre-planned and actively planned transitions, implemented transitions, adjusted to new roles and routines, and reflected upon their growth. Although all families experienced challenges during their transitions, two families entered a state of crisis when they did not receive mental health and residential supports. Findings highlight that transitions are lifelong processes in the family system, and risk and protective factors at multiple system levels affect resilience and self-determination. The quantitative study, presented in Manuscript 3, considers that the family system functions within broader socioecological environments that include formal services for adults with ID. Community participation supports provide opportunities to develop self-determination in recreational, educational, and vocational activities. In a cohort of families requesting community participation supports, the vast majority of parents endorsed the expectation that this service would improve choice-making outcomes for their adult child with ID. Preliminary results suggest that the gender and prior choice-making experience of the adult with ID may be associated with the odds of parents endorsing this expectation. The General Discussion integrates the primary findings from each manuscript within a conceptual framework informed by self-determination theory, family systems theory, and family resilience models. This dissertation has theoretical implications for the way the self-determination construct is understood and applied in research with families with a family member with ID. Further, this dissertation reveals practical implications for supporting families with a family member with ID during important life transitions.

L’hospitalisation représente une étape de vie à laquelle doit faire face une grande majorité des personnes âgées. Cette expérience trop souvent accompagnée d’un déclin physique et psychologique marque pour beaucoup le début de la fin. Basé sur les fondements théoriques de la théorie de l’autodétermination (TAD), ce travail doctoral a deux objectifs. (1) Définir qualitativement le soutien à l’autodétermination dans les services de soins de suite et réadaptation (SSR). (2) Connaître l’impact des orientations de causalité́ des patients sur la perception de soutien ou de contrôle à l’autodétermination et les conséquences motivationnelles et émotionnelles associées. L’étude 1 a montré que les professionnels de santé mettaient en avant une image idéalisée de leur environnement de soins. Les patients (étude 2) ont indiqué de nombreuses contraintes qui atténuent l’effet de cette vision positive. L’étude 3 a démontré que les orientations de causalité du patient étaient une variable qui en interaction avec la perception de l’environnement, n’aboutissait pas aux mêmes conséquences motivationnelles et émotionnelles. De par le rôle déterminant octroyé par la TAD à la motivation, les professionnels de santé se doivent d’être capables de nourrir, entretenir et soutenir la motivation des patients. Une réflexion sur les recommandations pratiques et des axes de recherches futurs seront proposés. / Hospitalization is a life stage that faces a large majority of older people. This experience is often accompanied by both physical and psychological declines and means, for most of older people the beginning of the end. Based on the self-determination theory (SDT), this doctoral dissertation has two objectives. (1) To qualitatively define an autonomy supportive environment in after-care and rehabilitation services (ACRS). (2) To know the impact of causality orientations on patients' perceptions of an autonomy supportive or controlled environment and the associated motivational and emotional consequences. Study 1 showed that healthcare professionals conveyed an idealized image of their work environment and the care they provide. Patients (study 2) indicated many constraints that mitigated the effect of this positive view of an autonomy supportive environment and reduced their ability to experience it. Study 3 demonstrated that patient's causality orientations were a variable which interacted with the perception of ACRS environment, did not induce the same motivational and emotional consequences. Thus, these studies contribute to the self-determination theory in the health setting by showing the determining role of patients’ motivation. It is therefore necessary for healthcare professionals to be able to feed, maintain and support patients’ motivation. In the light of the contribution of the self-determination theory, a reflection about practical recommendations and future lines of research will be proposed.

Domestic violence (DV) rehabilitative program facilitators administer the same treatment programs to males who reoffend. When DV facilitators administer the same unsuccessful treatment programs to repeat offenders, facilitators may lose intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to perform their job. For this study a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology approach was used to explore the phenomenon of DV facilitators' motivation. Self-determination theory was used to frame the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on DV facilitators who administer treatment programs to repeat offending males. A recruitment flyer was placed in the DV organization, data were collected from 7 participants through face-to-face or telephone interviews that were 18 years of age, proficient English speaking, actively facilitating DV treatment programs to repeat offending males, and employed with the DV organization. Data were transcribed and coded using open and axial coding, and analyzed for themes. Findings indicated that accountability, intrinsic motivation, and commitment influenced DV facilitators when administering programs to repeat offenders. Social change implications include awareness of perceived laissez-faire criminal justice policy towards DV male offenders and the lack of community support of challenges and opportunities for enhancing motivation for DV program facilitators.

How does the satisfaction (or the lack of satisfaction) of the innate need to have meaningful interpersonal relationships affects behavioural self-regulation? How does having/lacking interpersonal relatedness impact one’s perception of future interpersonal relationships? This doctoral dissertation aimed to answer these two fundamental questions by integrating the views of two complementary theories, need to belong theory (NBT; Baumeister & Leary, 1995) and self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000). Using a series of two laboratory experiments and one longitudinal study, this thesis examined the effects of social exclusion and inclusion on satisfaction of basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation, and self-regulation of behaviours. In Study 1 (N=72), social exclusion and inclusion were manipulated in order to examine their effects on the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs proposed by SDT, that is the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Findings from this first experiment revealed that social exclusion decreases satisfaction of the three needs, whereas social inclusion increases satisfaction of these needs when compared to the control condition. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the exclusion condition and the inclusion condition for the reported levels of satisfaction of the needs for competence and relatedness. The effects of social exclusion and inclusion on basic needs satisfaction were further investigated in Study 2 (N=70); also, the second study examined how self-determined motivation and behavioural self-regulation are affected. More specifically, it tested whether participants’ persistence at a laboratory task, as well as their intentions for a future peer interaction (intentions to compete against a peer participant and intentions to collaborate with a peer participant) are influenced by social exclusion and inclusion, through the meditating effects of basic needs satisfaction and self-determined motivation. The results suggested that social exclusion, via the effects of basic needs and motivation decreases peer collaboration, whereas social inclusion was shown to have an opposite effect on peer collaboration. The effect of condition via the mediating effects of basic needs satisfaction and motivation failed to predict persistence at the task and peer competition. Lastly, Study 3 (N=624) assessed naturally occurring social exclusion and inclusion in a population of junior high school students. This third study investigated the independent contributions of SDT and NBT in the prediction of academic motivation and high school dropout. Peer relatedness, perceived needs support from parents, and perceived needs support from teachers were examined as potential predictors of academic motivation and high school dropout. Findings suggested that peer relatedness plays an important role in the prediction of academic motivation, but, that perceived needs support from parents and perceived needs support from teachers are stronger predictors of that outcome. Results from this study also revealed that peer relatedness contributes to the prediction of high school dropout, beyond what can be explained by academic motivation, perceived needs support from parents, and perceived needs support from teachers. However, perceived needs support from parents was shown to be the most essential predictor of high school dropout. In sum, findings from this doctoral dissertation suggested that social exclusion has detrimental effects on one’s motivation and behavioural self-regulation. In contrast, social inclusion fosters social support which promotes satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation, and successful self-regulation. This doctoral thesis contributed to the application of SDT and NBT by comparing elements of the two complementary frameworks. It also offered an original contribution to research on social exclusion and inclusion by examining their impacts on self-determined motivation, and basic needs satisfaction, as well as testing them in both the laboratory setting and the natural setting.

How does the satisfaction (or the lack of satisfaction) of the innate need to have meaningful interpersonal relationships affects behavioural self-regulation? How does having/lacking interpersonal relatedness impact one’s perception of future interpersonal relationships? This doctoral dissertation aimed to answer these two fundamental questions by integrating the views of two complementary theories, need to belong theory (NBT; Baumeister & Leary, 1995) and self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 1985, 2000). Using a series of two laboratory experiments and one longitudinal study, this thesis examined the effects of social exclusion and inclusion on satisfaction of basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation, and self-regulation of behaviours. In Study 1 (N=72), social exclusion and inclusion were manipulated in order to examine their effects on the satisfaction of the three basic psychological needs proposed by SDT, that is the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Findings from this first experiment revealed that social exclusion decreases satisfaction of the three needs, whereas social inclusion increases satisfaction of these needs when compared to the control condition. Furthermore, significant differences were found between the exclusion condition and the inclusion condition for the reported levels of satisfaction of the needs for competence and relatedness. The effects of social exclusion and inclusion on basic needs satisfaction were further investigated in Study 2 (N=70); also, the second study examined how self-determined motivation and behavioural self-regulation are affected. More specifically, it tested whether participants’ persistence at a laboratory task, as well as their intentions for a future peer interaction (intentions to compete against a peer participant and intentions to collaborate with a peer participant) are influenced by social exclusion and inclusion, through the meditating effects of basic needs satisfaction and self-determined motivation. The results suggested that social exclusion, via the effects of basic needs and motivation decreases peer collaboration, whereas social inclusion was shown to have an opposite effect on peer collaboration. The effect of condition via the mediating effects of basic needs satisfaction and motivation failed to predict persistence at the task and peer competition. Lastly, Study 3 (N=624) assessed naturally occurring social exclusion and inclusion in a population of junior high school students. This third study investigated the independent contributions of SDT and NBT in the prediction of academic motivation and high school dropout. Peer relatedness, perceived needs support from parents, and perceived needs support from teachers were examined as potential predictors of academic motivation and high school dropout. Findings suggested that peer relatedness plays an important role in the prediction of academic motivation, but, that perceived needs support from parents and perceived needs support from teachers are stronger predictors of that outcome. Results from this study also revealed that peer relatedness contributes to the prediction of high school dropout, beyond what can be explained by academic motivation, perceived needs support from parents, and perceived needs support from teachers. However, perceived needs support from parents was shown to be the most essential predictor of high school dropout. In sum, findings from this doctoral dissertation suggested that social exclusion has detrimental effects on one’s motivation and behavioural self-regulation. In contrast, social inclusion fosters social support which promotes satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, self-determined motivation, and successful self-regulation. This doctoral thesis contributed to the application of SDT and NBT by comparing elements of the two complementary frameworks. It also offered an original contribution to research on social exclusion and inclusion by examining their impacts on self-determined motivation, and basic needs satisfaction, as well as testing them in both the laboratory setting and the natural setting.

Syftet med den här kvalitativa intervjustudien var att undersöka hur personal i ett omsorgsföretag ser på sig själva och sitt arbete i relation till kompetens, samhörighet och autonomi. Dessa tre begrepp är centrala i Self-determination theory. Resultatet visade att samhörigheten främjades av ett nära samarbete med kollegor och genom många gemensamma aktiviteter, både på arbetstid och utanför. Det främsta hindret för att uppleva samhörighet var om arbetsgruppen strävade åt olika håll eller om det uppstod konflikter i samspelet. Kompetens innebar för respondenterna att känna sig trygga i sitt bemötande av brukarna och att de visste vad de skulle göra i olika situationer. Även om de uttryckte en viss saknad av kunskap inför utagerande- och självskadebeteende så upplevdes ändå de lagar och regler som styrde verksamheten vara det som skapade störst osäkerhet och kunde vara hindrade för känslan av att uppleva sig kompetent. Resultatet visade också att respondenterna, trots att verksamheten till stor del styrdes av lagar och regler, upplevde en känsla av autonomi så länge de fick vara delaktiga i att planera och organisera arbetsuppgifternas utformning. / The main objective of this qualitative interview study was to examine how personnel elemployed at a company providing social care services, view themselves and their work in relation to competence, relatedness and autonomy. These three concepts are an essential part of Self-Determination Theory. The result showed that relatedness was promoted by close cooperation between colleagues and by frequent common activities during the workday, but also by activities with colleagues outside work. Main obstacles to relatedness appeared when the staff were striving in different directions and when conflicts emerged. The respondents felt competent in interaction with the clients and when it was clearly stated how they were supposed to act in specific situations. The respondents expressed the need for more of knowledge of self-harming behavior and similar behaviors of acting out. However, the main obstacle to feeling competent was insecurity of what laws and regulations that govern their workplace. Despite the fact that laws and regulations govern a large part of their work, the respondents expressed that they felt reasonable autonomous as long as they participated in the planning and organization of different tasks.

Based on the theoretical framework provided by Balanced Integration Differentiation (BID) Model (mamoglu, 1998 / 2003) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) (Deci and Ryan, 1985), this study aimed to explore possible determinants of Turkish employees&amp / #8217 / subjective (i.e., life satisfaction) and psychological well-being. Previous SDT research demonstrated that autonomus causality orientation and perceived autonomy supportiveness of context predicted need satisfaction at work and in turn, employee well-being (e.g., Baard et al., 2004 / Ilardi et al., 1993). BID Model was tested in a work setting for the first time. Different from SDT research, relational aspects both as a form of self orientation and a contextual characteristic (i.e., perceived relatedness supportiveness) were included in this study, along with individuational orientation and perceived autonomy supportiveness dimension, to explore their possible influence on well-being. Three-hundred-eighty-three employees (154 women and 229 men) from various public and private sector organizations participated in the study. Onehundred- ninety-two of them were from public sector organizations, whereas 191 of them were from private sector organizations. Relational and individuational self orientations directly predicted need satisfaction and psychological well-being, whereas relational orientation directly predicted life satisfaction. Need satisfaction also predicted both types of wellbeing. Furthermore, relational orientation predicted both autonomy and relatedness supportiveness of work context and in turn, predicted need satisfaction and well-being in public sector organizations. Furthermore, individuational orientation predicted autonomy supportiveness and relational orientation predicted relatedness supportiveness and in turn, predicted need satisfaction and well-being in private sector organizations. The findings were discussed in terms of relevant literature.

Exercise is an important part of well-being. However, when performed excessively, it can lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, depression and feelings of guilt. This study aimed to qualitatively investigate what motivational regulations, defined by the Self-determination theory, that may provide an insight into why young women engage in excessive exercise. Data from seven participants was analyzed through a thematic analysis and resulted in four themes: Exercise affected by social influence, Ambivalence toward the amount of exercise, Benefits of exercise and Exercise affecting the sense of self. All of the motivational regulations belonged to the extrinsic type of motivation, ranging from external to integrated regulation, with social influence and health benefits being the most frequently mentioned reasons for exercise. Also, the informants were able to explain why they exercise, but less so in regard to the amount of exercise. / Träning är en förutsättning för välbefinnande. När träning utförs i en överdriven mängd kan det dock leda till negativa konsekvenser som ångest, depression och skuldkänslor. Syftet med denna studie var att kvalitativt undersöka vilka motivationsregleringar definierade av Självbestämmande teori som kan ge en inblick i varför unga kvinnor tränar i en överdriven omfattning. Materialet från sju deltagare analyserades genom en tematisk analys och resulterade i fyra teman: Social påverkan på träning, Ambivalens till träningsmängden, Fördelar med träning och Träning påverkar uppfattningen om sig själv. Alla motivationsregleringar tillhörde den yttre typen av motivation och sträckte sig från extern till integrerad reglering, där social påverkan och hälsofördelar var de mest frekvent nämnda anledningarna till träning. Informanterna kunde ge en förklaring till varför de tränar, men inte avseende deras träningsmängd.

This study explores the application of principles from game design, and the motivational psychology it is founded upon, to the domain of second language acquisition. A gameful design process based on playtesting andanalysis with design lenses is adapted and used to iteratively design and develop a system for conversation practice with the goal of creating a motivating and engaging experience.The results indicate effectiveness of the process, but generalizing the results would require further research with bigger sample sizes and studies with varied core activities.

Health behaviors tend to occur together. However, the research on what factors define and regulate their coexistence within individuals is still limited. There is also no established methodology to investigate regulation mechanisms of multiple health behaviours. The objectives of the study were to explore: 1) co-occurrence of multiple health behaviours (smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, and healthy eating) in a sample of Canadian university students; 2) the role of motivational (e.g., controlled, autonomous and intrinsic motivations), cognitive (e.g., health attitudes and health empowerment), and social contextual (e.g., family and friends) components in these regulation mechanisms; 3) the strengths and limitations of integrating variable-based and case-based methodological approaches to study the coexistence and regulation of multiple health behaviours. The research was based on the theoretical underpinnings of Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and a critical realism paradigm. College students (N==238) from the University of Saskatchewan completed a survey in Study 1. Six participants, purposefully selected from the sample were interviewed in Study 2. The most frequent multiple health behaviour cluster was ‘alcohol drinking+physical activity+healthy eating’ (62%; n=143). The results of multiple regression analysis (Study 1) confirmed that intrinsic and autonomous motivations were the best predictors of the frequency of alcohol consumption, physical activity, and healthy eating. Interview analyses in Study 2 also suggested that multiple health behaviours were best self-regulated when motivations were harmonized with individuals’ cognitions and emotions, and supported by their social contexts. Such balance could be achieved by exercising more self-control, making up for one health behaviour via another, or avoiding cognitive dissonance by ‘splitting up’ a negative concept into positive and negative ones (e.g., occasional smoking to release stress versus harmful chain smoking). Both Study 1 and Study 2 results present motivation as a hierarchical structure and provide evidence that motivational regulations across multiple health behaviours are interrelated. The comparative analysis of Studies 1 and 2 demonstrates that the integration of two different methodological approaches and the consilience between their results added to the validity and generalizability of the common findings. Importantly, contradictions in findings highlighted limitations of each methodological approach and were discussed in terms of implications for their methodological refinement.