Effect of Walk with a Doc Event Participation on Adult’s Basic Psychological Need Frustration and Satisfaction Rates Madison Brandt, MacKenzie DeHoff, Riley Smith, Derek T. Smith Department of Kinesiology & Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY. Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory BACKGROUND RESULTS • Walk with a Doc (WWAD) is community-based program where participates join to Figure 1. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Figure 2. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence BPNSFP by Descriptive Category Scores by Age in Years learn new health topics, increase physical activity, meet new people, and spend Competence Scores by Sex Sex: time with others, highlighting the importance of competence, autonomy, and • Females (n=17) consistently reported higher levels of autonomy, relatedness, relatedness in regular WWAD attendance.3 and competence frustration than males (n=2) that was not statistically • In unstructured exercise, older adult’s psychological needs satisfaction, from significant. highest to lowest, was autonomy, relatedness, and competence.1 Marital Status: • In a period of one year, 94% of older adults have received recommendations from • Separated/Divorced (n=2) showed higher frustration rates and lower their physicians to be physically active with a higher adherence when the advice satisfaction for Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence compared to other comes from a respected and trusted doctor.2 relationship categories. • Young-middle aged adults rely on competence satisfaction for exercise adherence Age and Education Level: and in maintaining high exercise attendance rates more than autonomy or • Across age and education level Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence relatedness.4 showed a similar and consistent pattern of high satisfaction and low • During COVID-19, females and younger adults reported lower rates of competence Figure 3. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence frustration. 5 Figure 4. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence satisfaction and higher trait anxiety. Scores by Marital Status Scores by Education Level • Ages 60-79 (n=12) showed the highest Autonomy Satisfaction rates PURPOSE (4.29/5).• Ages 20-39 (n=3) showed the highest Competence Satisfaction rates In adults who have attended Walk with a Doc in Laramie, Wyoming in 2019-2020: (4.42/5). 1. Describe the basic psychological needs satisfaction and frustration rates of existing • Those with a Doctoral Degree (n=2) showed higher satisfaction rates in all WWAD participants. three categories than any other education level. • Those with an Associates Degree (n=1) showed higher frustration rates in Application: Examining the existing WWAD participants Basic Psychological Needs all three categories than any other education level. Satisfaction and Frustrations may inform interventions to increase participation. Attendance Subjective Measures METHODS • There was no difference in satisfaction or frustration scores for Autonomy, Study Design: Cross-sectional Relatedness, and Competence based on total number of sessions attended or Participants frequency of attendance. • 20-95 years; ambulatory; recent attendance at Laramie, Wyoming WWAD (2019- Walk with a Doc Attendance Rates and Frequency • Across attendance categories frustration scores were low and satisfaction 2020). scores were high. Figure 5. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence Scores by Figure 6. Average Autonomy, Relatedness, and Competence Scores by Survey Attendance Rates – 2019-2020 Number of Sessions Attended Frequency of Attendance (sessions per month) • Modified from the Ugent Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale Safety and Qualitative Feedback (BPNSFS) 3.1.2. English Version 3.1.2.1. Adults • Participation was voluntary. • 1st survey cohort: administered in-person (paper/pencil) at WWAD event • One participant did not fill out the survey completely, eliminating their • 2nd survey cohort: survey emailed to previous participants through google form (due data from analysis. to COVID-19 interruptions). https://forms.gle/CKmA272rwU8Ac3798 • No adverse events occurred before, after, or during the survey Subjective Measures implementation. Three domain survey (Likert scale: 1-5): 1. Autonomy; 2. Relatedness; 3. Competence • Survey remained anonymous, minimizing bias and protecting • Within each domain “Satisfaction” and “Frustration” were assessed. confidentiality. Statistical Analysis • Due to COVID-19 impacted survey distribution and small sample size, the • Demographic descriptive measures collected study was underpowered and statistical comparisons were limited by small • Data reported as mean and standard deviation group sizes. Table 1. Participant Characteristics (N=19) CONCLUSION • Study results align with previous studies suggesting older adults rely on autonomy, younger adults rely on competence, and females have higher competence frustration rates. • Being divorced/separated appears to show higher frustration rates and lower satisfaction rates in all three categories. Higher level education appears to show higher satisfaction rates and less education appears to show higher frustration rates. • While not statistically analyzed, it appears that higher frequency and total volume of attendance elicits greater frustration and lower satisfaction rates. It is possible that COVID-19 is contributing to these findings, because these participants were frequent attenders pre-COVID-19 and may have had pre-existing expectations. • Impacts of COVID-19 negatively impacted sample size and may have skewed data in certain populations due to disruptions in life routine. • Further examination of this population is needed before an intervention can be applied to increase WWAD participation based on Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration rates. Generalizability of the findings reported here are limited by the small and homogeneous sample. References 1. Jones, S. A., et al. A self-determination theory approach for exercise motivation in rural dwelling older adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging. 2019: 44(1): 24-41. 2. Schutzer, Karen & Graves, Bar. Barriers and motivations to exercise in older adults. Preventive medicine. 2004: 39: 1056-61. 3. Sabgir, D., &; Dorn, J. Walk with a doc—a call to action for physician-led walking programs. Current Cardiology Reports. 2020: 22(7): 1-6. 4. Vlachopoulos S. P., & E. Neikou. A prospective study of the relationships of autonomy, competence, and relatedness with exercise attendance, adherence, and dropout. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 2007: 47(4): 475-482. 5. Antunes R., et al. Exploring lifestyle habits, physical activity, anxiety and basic psychological needs in a sample of Portuguese adults during COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020: 17(4360): 1-13.