Motivation to Take Medicine Inventory: MTMI
download the questionnaires here MTMI -12 Thai.pdf MTMI -12 Eng.pdf
Motivation based on Self‑Determination Theory (SDT)
Self‑Determination Theory (SDT) is a major psychological theory of human motivation that explains why people start, persist in, or stop behaviors—especially behaviors that require effort (studying, exercising, taking medication, behavior change).
1) Core idea: “Quality” of motivation matters
SDT says motivation isn’t just “high vs low.” It also differs in how self‑driven (autonomous) it is.
- Autonomous motivation: “I choose to do it” (more sustainable, better well‑being)
- Controlled motivation: “I have to do it” (can work short‑term, often less satisfying)
- Amotivation: “I don’t see a reason / it won’t help” (low engagement)
2) The SDT motivation continuum (from least to most self‑determined)
- Amotivation – no intention, no value, helplessness
- External regulation (extrinsic) – doing it for rewards, punishment, pressure from others
- Introjected regulation (extrinsic) – internal pressure: guilt, shame, ego, “I should”
- Identified regulation (extrinsic) – personally important/valued goal (“I believe this matters”)
- Integrated regulation (extrinsic) – fully aligned with identity/values (“this is who I am”)
- Intrinsic motivation – doing it because it’s enjoyable/interesting in itself
Many scales (like AMS) measure: external, introjected, identified, and intrinsic (often split into 3 types), plus amotivation. Some do not include “integrated” because it’s harder to measure in certain contexts.
3) The three basic psychological needs (the engine of motivation)
SDT proposes that people thrive and develop autonomous motivation when three needs are supported:
- Autonomy – feeling you have choice/volition (“I decide”)
- Competence – feeling capable and effective (“I can do it”)
- Relatedness – feeling understood/connected (“they care about me”)
When these needs are supported, people internalize behaviors (move from external → identified/integrated) and persist longer.
Types of motivation from Self‑Determination Theory, often used in scales like the Academic Motivation Scale (AMS). They describe why a person does something—ranging from no motivation to fully self‑driven motivation.
Below are clear explanations of each (with quick examples).
1) Amotivation (แรงจูงใจเป็นศูนย์/ไม่เห็นเหตุผล)
Meaning: The person has no clear reason to act, feels the behavior is pointless, out of their control, or they don’t expect it will work.
Typical thoughts: “I don’t know why I’m doing this,” “It won’t help anyway.”
2) Extrinsic motivation (แรงจูงใจจากปัจจัยภายนอก) — 3 subtypes
a) External regulation (แรงจูงใจจากการบังคับ/รางวัล/ลงโทษ)
Meaning: Doing something because of external pressure or external consequences.
Examples:
“I do it because my family forces me.”
“I do it to avoid punishment / to get a reward.”
b) Introjected regulation (แรงจูงใจจากแรงกดดันภายใน/ความรู้สึกผิด-อาย-รักษาหน้า)
Meaning: The pressure is inside the person, but it still feels controlling—done to avoid guilt/anxiety/shame or to protect ego/self‑worth.
Examples:
“I do it because I’d feel guilty if I didn’t.”
“I do it to feel proud / to not feel like a failure.”
c) Identified regulation (แรงจูงใจแบบเห็นคุณค่า/สอดคล้องเป้าหมาย)
Meaning: The person does it because they personally value the outcome and see it as important, even if it’s not enjoyable.
Examples:
“I do it because it’s important for my health/future.”
“I do it because it helps me reach my goals.”
SDT note: External → Introjected → Identified = becomes more self‑determined (more “chosen” by the person).
3) Intrinsic motivation (แรงจูงใจภายใน) — 3 subtypes
Intrinsic motivation means doing something because the activity itself is satisfying.
a) Intrinsic motivation – to know (ทำเพราะอยากรู้/อยากเรียนรู้)
Meaning: Driven by curiosity and enjoyment of learning/understanding.
Example: “I do it because I like learning new things.”
b) Intrinsic motivation – toward accomplishment (ทำเพราะอยากพัฒนา/ทำให้สำเร็จ)
Meaning: Driven by enjoyment of achieving, mastering, improving competence.
Example: “I do it because I like accomplishing difficult tasks.”
c) Intrinsic motivation – to experience stimulation (ทำเพราะความสนุก/ตื่นเต้น/เพลิดเพลิน)
Meaning: Driven by sensations and positive feelings (fun, excitement, interest).
Example: “I do it because it’s exciting/pleasant.”
Here are the item we have created for the motivation "to take medicine" (Motivation to Take Medicine Inventory: MTMI)
The short version can be found here.
Coding, scoring, and Interpretation
Overall motivation index consistent with SDT
Create an Overall Self-Determination (Motivation) Index by combining subscales so that a higher value reflects more self-determined motivation.
MTMI-SDI (Self-Determination Index) = (Mean(IDEN) + Mean(INTRO) + Mean(EXT)) − (Mean(AMSE) + Mean(AMPRI))
Range: −3 to +3 (because each mean is 1–4)
Interpretation: higher scores = more self-determined motivation to take medicine, lower scores = more amotivation/barriers.
If you prefer a 12–48 style range, you can rescale it, but keeping the −3 to +3 range is usually clear and standard for SDT indices.
Interpretation of scores
No clinical cut-off score is established for the MTMI. Scores may be interpreted descriptively using the distribution in the study sample. For example, participants may be categorized into three groups using percentile-based thresholds: Low: < 25th percentile Moderate: 25th–75th percentile High: > 75th percentile
This approach can be applied to either: each subscale mean, and/or the MTMI-SDI index (recommended for an “overall” score).
Example
Step 1) Code responses
Use: 1 = ไม่เห็นด้วยอย่างยิ่ง, 2 = ไม่เห็นด้วย, 3 = เห็นด้วย, 4 = เห็นด้วยอย่างยิ่ง
Step 2) Compute each subscale mean (using the new item numbers 1–12)
IDEN (identified regulation): mean of Item 1, Item 8
INTRO (introjected regulation): mean of Item 5, Item 10
EXT (external regulation): mean of Item 3, Item 7
AMSE (amotivation—side-effect/concern): mean of Item 2, Item 6, Item 11
AMPRI (amotivation—primary): mean of Item 4, Item 9, Item 12
Psychometric property:
Will be provided soon.
