![[ Visit Client Website ]](images/banner.gif)
Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to latent transition analysis.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to describe patterns and change of motivation and its association with physical activity.
Methods: Participants included 182 individuals who were enrolled in rehabilitation following myocardial infarction. Variables from the Wellness Motivation Theory (readiness, self regulation, and self knowledge) were measured at baseline and at 3 months. Latent class analysis was used to classify the participants and latent transition analysis was used to determine the stability and change of latent class membership across the two time points. A multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine what factors might predict changes in motivation.
Results: For both baseline and follow-up measures, latent class analysis suggested that three classes were most appropriate for characterizing the participants: low, average, and high motivation. The classes were related to physical activity with higher motivation associated with higher levels of physical activity. The latent transition analyses indicated that the three classes stayed relatively stable over time with 68%, 59%, and 76% staying within their class. However, 14% moved from a lower state of motivation to a higher state and 16% moved from a higher state of motivation to a lower state. Declines in motivation were related to neighborhood and home environments, and income.
Conclusion: Providers should note that individuals can be classified into clusters based on motivation variables and the nature of change in class membership over time. Findings from this study also have important implications for the development of a tailored intervention for individuals that would target motivation for physical activity.