Psychology of Motivation, Behavior, and Health

This study aimed to explain the subjective experience of individuals with eating disorders regarding motivation for behavioral change using a qualitative, phenomenological approach. This research employed a qualitative design based on interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 individuals diagnosed with eating disorders, selected purposefully from mental health centers in Tehran. Data collection continued until theoretical saturation, and thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. The analysis resulted in four main themes: “internal factors influencing motivation for change,” “external factors affecting motivation,” “motivational barriers to behavior change,” and “the process of internalizing motivation for change.” Each theme contained multiple subthemes that richly illustrated the complexity of motivational experience. Participants’ direct quotations were used to deepen the analysis. Findings revealed that motivation for behavioral change in eating disorders is a complex, dynamic, and multifaceted process influenced by personal, social, and cultural factors. Understanding these subjective experiences can inform more contextually grounded and psychologically attuned therapeutic interventions.

This study aimed to identify motivational barriers in the addiction treatment process from the perspective of clients in treatment centers in Tehran. This qualitative research employed a conventional content analysis approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 29 clients in addiction treatment centers in Tehran. Purposeful sampling was used, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo software. Data analysis revealed three main themes: internal barriers, external barriers, and structural barriers. Internal barriers included hopelessness, self-blame, aimlessness, depression, psychological dependence on substances, resistance to change, and lack of self-confidence. External barriers encompassed family pressures, unhealthy living environments, economic problems, distrust in treatment centers, and social stigma of addiction. Structural barriers involved weak post-treatment support programs, inefficient counseling services, lack of effective motivational policies, non-personalized treatments, and difficulties in accessing treatment services. The findings indicate that motivational barriers in addiction treatment are multidimensional and intertwined, necessitating interventions at individual, social, and structural levels to enhance treatment effectiveness.

This study aims to identify and analyze self-motivation patterns among high-achieving students in underprivileged areas of Tehran. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 high-performing high school students selected purposively until theoretical saturation was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Analysis revealed four main themes: (1) Academic and personal goals, (2) Environmental motivational resources, (3) Coping strategies and effort, and (4) Personal and cognitive beliefs. Each theme encompassed subthemes highlighting the roles of intrinsic motivation, environmental support, coping strategies, and positive self-beliefs in students' academic success. The findings indicate that high-achieving students in underprivileged areas leverage intrinsic motivations, limited environmental support, effective coping strategies, and positive self-beliefs to overcome environmental challenges and achieve academic excellence. These insights can inform the development of targeted educational and counseling interventions in similar contexts.

This study aimed to identify and analyze the motivational components embedded in health-oriented advertisements on social media, focusing on users’ perceptions of the psychological, visual, and persuasive mechanisms of health messages. This qualitative study employed content analysis methodology. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 active social media users residing in Tehran. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The collected data were analyzed using NVivo software through open, axial, and selective coding in three stages. The data analysis resulted in the identification of three main themes: “persuasive strategies,” “motivational visual and graphic elements,” and “psychological drivers of influence.” Each theme comprised several subcategories, including fear appeals, narrative testimonies, before-and-after visuals, emotional color schemes, and enhancement of perceived control. Participants reported greater engagement with messages that featured a combination of simple language, visually accessible design, and relatable content. The findings indicate that health-oriented advertisements on social media are more effective when persuasive, visual, and psychological components are synergistically integrated. Designing messages based on lived experiences, cultural context, and intrinsic motivation can significantly contribute to promoting health behaviors.

This study aimed to identify the coping strategies employed by working women to manage occupational stress from a psychological perspective. A qualitative research design using conventional content analysis was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 23 employed women in Tehran, selected via purposive sampling. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The collected data were analyzed using NVivo software. Data analysis revealed three main categories: "individual-centered strategies," "interpersonal strategies," and "spiritual strategies." Each category encompassed various subcategories, reflecting the diversity and complexity of coping mechanisms utilized by women in the face of occupational stress. The findings indicate that employed women utilize a combination of individual, social, and spiritual coping strategies to manage occupational stress. These insights can inform the development of effective psychological and organizational interventions aimed at reducing work-related stress among women.

This study aimed to identify motivational factors influencing dietary adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes in Tehran. A qualitative study was conducted using thematic content analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 purposively selected patients with type 2 diabetes from healthcare centers in Tehran. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, and data were analyzed using NVivo software. The analysis revealed four main categories: intrinsic motivations, social motivations, cognitive motivations, and situational motivations. Each category encompassed subcategories that directly or indirectly affected patients' attitudes toward dietary adherence and their commitment to healthy eating behaviors. The findings indicate that dietary adherence in diabetic patients is influenced by multifaceted factors. Therefore, designing educational and therapeutic interventions should consider these motivational components with a comprehensive and culturally tailored approach.