Application of the ARCS Model for designing and developing a motivational intervention for improving diet, physical activity and weight management in first-time mothers during pregnancy

• Main Author: Brown, Mary Jane
• Published: Ulster University 2013
• Subjects: 618.3
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.627736

Maternal overweight and obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both women and healthcare professionals have expressed a desire for resources to adequately support pregnant women in successful weight management. The primary aim of this research was to identify any motivational deficits for healthy diet and physical activity behaviours in first-time mothers receiving routine antenatal education and in response develop an intervention that solved these deficits, therefore improving optimal weight gain during pregnancy. Application of the ARCS Model of Motivational Instructional Design (Keller, 1987) was undertaken using a mixed method approach with six interrelated phases: Phase one: Goal setting interventions for improving weight management during pregnancy were identified through a systematic literature review. Phase two: A motivational analysis of current antenatal instruction through non-participant observation. Phase three: Maternal motivation to eat a healthy diet and exercise was explored through one-to-one telephone interviews (n=9) and a theoretical measurement tool was developed and validated in a convenience sample (n= 196) of first-time mothers Phase four: Evidence generated in phases 1-3 was collated to create an overall audience motivational profile where lack of confidence-building instruction was identified as the key motivational problem. Phase five: Motivational objectives were established and appropriate ARCS model strategies selected to solve motivational deficits. Phase six: A new resource: "Yummy Tummies" was created and evaluated positively by maternity staff and women (n=11).