Exploring motivation, goals, facilitators, and barriers to adopt health behaviors at retirement age: a focus group study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study qualitatively investigates retirement-age adults' perspectives on engaging in health behaviors such as physical activity or a healthy diet, distinguishing facilitators, barriers, goals, and motivations (the two later in line with Self-Determination Theory).

Methods

Two clinical psychologists conducted four focus groups with Spanish adults around retirement age. We conducted inductive and deductive content analysis.

Results

The main facilitators and barriers identified were the presence and absence of social support/social network, mental health, willpower, time, and motivation. Participants reported different types of motivation (e.g., intrinsic motivation in the enjoyment of the activity of exercise or cooking) and goals (intrinsic and extrinsic

SUBMITTER: Collazo-Castineira P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11773797 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature