An integrative analytical framework for understanding the effects of autonomous and controlled motivation

Purpose: To use polynomial regression analysis with response surface methodology to examine the extent to which autonomous motivation (AM) and controlled motivation (CM) as separate constructs, as well as how the degree of agreement/differentiation and the direction of differentiation among them, can predict outcomes in academic and health contexts. Methods: Data from two studies with university students and one study with breast cancer survivors were used. Results: In general, AM predicted positive academic and health outcomes, whereas CM positively predicted negative outcomes. Positive outcomes were generally higher whereas negative outcomes were generally lower when AM was greater than CM and when agreement between AM and CM increased. Conclusions: Consideration of the degree of agreement and the direction of differentiation between AM and CM adds to the interpretation of the associations between motivation and outcomes in academic and health contexts that is not captured by simply examining AM or CM separately or using a combined AM–CM score.