Patients undergoing SDT-related treatments often report feeling more confident in their abilities afterwards. This overall leads to improved mental well-being. Therefore, it appears that developing a sense of mastery can help improve a patient's health with applied self-determination theory.

Michigan State University

Self-Determination Theory has been utilized by some physicians to aid in patient's wellbeing. This is usually done by encouraging exercise, healthy eating, diabetes self-management, and more. The theory is that by encouraging and rewarding positive behavior. patients can improve themselves.

Self-Determination Theory in Healthcare

Nikos Ntoumanis, Johan Y.Y. Ng, Andrew Prestwich, Eleanor Quested, Jennie
E. Hancox, Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Edward L. Deci, Richard M. Ryan, Chris Lonsdale & Geoffrey C. Williams (2021) A meta-analysis of self-determination theory-informed intervention studies in the health domain: effects on motivation, health behavior, physical, and psychological health. Health Psychology Review, 15:2, 214-244, DOI: 10.1080/17437199.2020.1718529

A meta-analysis of self-determination theory-informed intervention studies in the health domain: effects on motivation, health behavior, physical, and psychological health

One meta-analysis found an interesting occurrence involving autonomy. When a patient believed they had control and independence, they often were in better health physically and mentally (although the effects were small). This indicates that a perceived sense of control over themselves can improve a person's health.

Self-Determination and Autonomy

Competence Satisfaction and SDT

Most studies indicate that applying self-determination treatments in community settings were more effective then those in individual settings. This indicates community support can improve the success rate of SDT-related treatments.

Group Settings and SDT

Unfortunately, because SDT has many potential variations, there is currently no consensus on what specific SDT treatments are the best. This will likely need to be studied in the future.

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