Integrative model for intrinsic-motivation oriented parenting

Abstract

The current study strived to outline a model for parenting that is based on the encouragement of the child's intrinsic motivation. The study gathers from existing studies, those educational interventions that encourage development of intrinsic motivation, and from those that formulate a practical parenting model, which includes a detailed specification of principles and tools, with a goal of assisting parents in leading their children in the process of values internalization. The model creates integration between several approaches, and out of them formulates a model that can be used as a tool for parents of all levels. According to the findings, topics were formulated for a practical parenting workshop. The study combines qualitative and quantitative methodology. The purpose of the quantitative analysis was to examine the extent to which the prevailing parental style actually matches the MI spirit (partnership, acceptance, compassion, evocation) (Miller & Rollnick, 2013), separately measuring each of the four components of the MI. The qualitative analysis seeks to identify the main parenting characteristics, which encourage the internalization of the parents' values and the development of intrinsic motivation to act according to these values. The participants were 42 adults, with an age range from 25-65 (M=43.17, SD=10.07) (57.14% male). All participants experienced normative parenting in their childhood and were raised by both parents. The results of the quantitative analysis did not find a statistically significant differences in any category by gender. Regarding age, a statistically significant negative correlation was found, with low effect size, with the Compassion category (r = -.377, p = .014, n = 42). Likewise, a statistically significant correlation was found, with low effect size, between Acceptance category and Compassion category (r = .391, p = .010, n = 42). The results of the qualitative analysis indicated the main influence of the parents on the values internalization by their children. An overwhelming majority of participants (35) indicated a full, and unreserved, internalization of the values which their parents educated them. Regarding the parental characteristics that encourage internalization of values - the key parents' characteristics that the participants testified that made them internalize these values: Honesty, caring and devotion, warmth and love, self-purpose and self-fulfillment, patience and serenity, and diligence. In contrast, the following key parental characteristics were found as characteristics that caused their children to avoid from internalizing the values by which they educated them: anger and stiffness and lack of containment. Based on a literature review and research results, a practical model for parents is developed, which focuses on developing intrinsic motivation. The main basis for the model is the self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000; 2017), combining Motivational-Interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 2013) as a practical tool for applying the SDT principles. Insights from the study results were also incorporated. From them a practical model for routine situations developed, and a reference to situations of risk behaviors according to the principles of the 'nonviolent resistance' (Omer & Lebowitz, 2016). Considering the literature review and research results, a model was formulated, and chapter heads were proposed for a parenting workshop to impart the model. The uniqueness of this study is linking MI to parenting, and the impact of parenting in this spirit on the values internalization. This study was a preliminary exploration in the field, to encourage further research. ?