Enhancing subjective quality of life through self-determination theory

Abstract

Study towards subjective factor of QOL in developing countries is being underdeveloped. Moreover, QOL enhancements in developing countries are mostly focused on and through its objective factor. This might due to the correlated subjective factor to objective factor within the poor objective factor of QOL context. Those solutions considered as less empowering and outside dependent for the people. Thus, study and attention towards enhancement through the subjective factor of QOL is needed. The solution resulted expectedly can empower the people more. This study intention is to find an alternate solution that focuses on the subjective factor of QOL. SDT and its ability to spur intrinsic motivation proposed as one of the solutions. SDT with its three ingredients (autonomy, competence and relatedness) suggested can help people to achieve their state of wellbeing as they pursue their valued outcome. This wellbeing is aligned with what the subjective factor of QOL means by happiness and satisfaction. Thus to study that proposition in a tangible way, a tool was designed and evaluated in this research. The tool is intentionally designed to spur volitional behavior to solve one of the QOL problems as the outcome or goal. Two different set-ups were designed to see the occurrence of the intrinsic motivation by implementing and not implementing three SDT ingredients of basic psychology needs. The result shows that feeling of autonomy, competence and relatedness are supported in the tool with SDT embedded. It also shows a positive result on internalization of intrinsic goals. Interest and enjoyment as the self-report measure of intrinsic motivation also appear positive. Whilst, the result of those values appear negative on the tool without SDT embedded. Overall, the study shows that SDT with its intrinsic motivation can enhance subjective factor of QOL. The intrinsic motivation towards intrinsic goals can have an impact on extrinsic goals as its derivative value. Some of the objective factors of QOL are considered as part of extrinsic goals. Hence, the intrinsic motivations’ occurrence might also impact the related objective factors of QOL. But this proposition needs to be further studied. Thus spurring intrinsic motivation through SDT can enhance subjective factor of QOL, and if it has an impact on the related objective factors of QOL, it might have the ability at some extend to enhance the overall QOL. Researchers and designers can consider using SDT in their solution to improve QOL strategically within the context of the developing countries.