In this episode, we focus on mental health and behavior change. Our guest is the wonderful Jennifer La Guardia, a behavioral scientist and clinical psychologist from an organization called Brightline.

We talk about Digital Health in the mental health space. Specifically in the context of child and family care. What it is, how it works, and more. For example, many don’t have access to the care they need, whether that is due to time, money, distance, or even the stigma sometimes- unfortunately- associated with mental health.

We allude to nudge and some of the research issues associated with that behavioral modification approach. Matt references the validity and reliability issues/ scandals around the theory. Jennifer discusses the SDT issues with it— how it can be paternalistic and undermining. We do discuss how certain aspects of nudge can potentially be supportive of the psychological needs, but often, in how it is utilized, it can be leveraged punitively.

Independently of SDT, here is an article discussing the ethical issues of nudge: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/10434631231155005

NPR did a great podcast episode on the publication scandal associated with nudge. https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1190568472

We briefly explore the ties between emotional regulation and motivation and the “why’s” for “eating the cookie” or getting that other reward. The key is to get people to make thoughtful, more controlled, and autonomous decisions regarding their health.

We discuss competition, specifically things like having “accountability buddies” when losing weight or other “motivating” health goals. When one doesn’t win, or one is losing, this feeling also can undermine. Rather, having shared, collaborative goals is more effective over the long run.

Matt references Edward Deci, one of the founding thought leaders of SDT. Competition can be great, if the focus is on the activity itself and the win/lose aspect of the competition is a natural outcome of that activity.

We talk about introjection, a concept in SDT where the catalyst for motivation is based in ego, obligation, or other internalized controlling factors. We use introjection as a basis to discuss why people struggle with weight loss, or body image, or even just feeling bad if one doesn’t live up to standards from those around them.

We discuss how parents can support their children more effectively in lifestyle and health development. There is a mental health crisis, made worse since COVID began. We tend to wait for the problem to happen, rather than early prevention.

This is where coaching comes into play. Jennifer defines and explains how coaching fits into the greater process of care. She talks about how difficult behavior change is… how stressful it can be.

Finally, if you are looking for a behavior modification program, Jennifer shares some pointers.

More about Jennifer.

Jennifer has 20+ years experience promoting motivational approaches to health behavior change, management of chronic illness (e.g., overweight/obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease), and improving personal well-being. She is an expert in SDT, and has designed, implemented, and evaluated large scale health behavior interventions (‘live’, web-based, mobile health). Her work brings practical solutions for implementing best healthcare practices within employee and community populations. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Rochester under the supervision of Dr. Richard Ryan, one of the creators of SDT. She has worked as a consultant with workplace and community organizations, the National Cancer Institute, and international groups. Currently, she is the VP Care Innovation for Brightline.

And her organization, Brightline, can be found here: https://www.hellobrightline.com

Our first guest is Julien Chanal from the University of Geneva.

During the episode, Matt and Julien discuss fitness and physical activity, which are specialties of Julien's work and research. Specifically, we talk about how kids's motivation to be active works and how childhood activity is an excellent predictor for how active adults are (and their respective motivation). We explore the strategies schools and parents can take to support fitness activity.

We also dig into another area of interest for Julien... Burnout, within the context of work. We also try and define well being within the context of SDT. We differentiate happiness from well being, as well.

Of course, we are referring to Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, the originators of the theory. And since this is a show about Self-Determination Theory, that is the foundational model we use to inform our conversation. You can learn more about Rich and Ed, as well as the theory, at the Center for Self-Determination Theory.

You can learn more about the SDT Geneva Center here: https://www.researchgate.net/lab/SDT-Geneva-Center-Julien-Chanal

During the show, Julien references his colleague: Sandrine Isoard-Gautheur. You can learn more about her work at:

https://laboratoire-sens.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/sandrine-isoard-gautheur

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sandrine-Isoard-Gautheur

More about Julien...

Julien Chanal is a distinguished professor at the Université de Genève, specializing in psychology and education sciences. He is renowned for his leadership as the chair of the SDT Geneva Center and his significant contributions to the field of self-determination theory research. With expertise in optimizing motivation and engagement across various domains, Julien Chanal is committed to advancing psychological well-being and educational practices worldwide.

You can find Julien here: https://www.unige.ch/fapse/mad/equipe/chanal

Or, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julien-c-3a05ab27/

We also refer to psychologist, Jacques Forest, and his recent book, Libérer la motivation with Anja Van den Broeck, Hermina Van Coillie, and Marcus B. Mueller. You can find the book here.

Julien references researcher, Luc Pelletier. You can learn more about him, here.