Mastery motivation of children and teens: Parental versus self-report

Abstract

Rationale: Mastery motivation is a factor underlying behavioural change in pediatric physiotherapy. Parents and children can inform about this concept by filling in the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ). This study examined if children and their parents differ in perceptions on mastery motivation. This will inform pediatric physiotherapists about the type of goal setting needed. Methods: A group of 29 families were included. A comparative survey design was used. Repeated-measures ANOVA or the Friedman test were used to compare the ratings of fathers, mothers and their children. Results: No significant differences were found between parent- and self-report scores on the total mastery motivation scale of the DMQ. A few differences in perceptions did appear on various other DMQ-subscales. Specifically, children rated themselves lower on object oriented persistence and higher on gross motor persistence than fathers did. Fathers and mothers rated their children lower on social persistence with children than did children rated themselves. Regarding negative reactions to failure, mothers scored higher in their ratings than did their children. Finally, teens rated their general competence higher than mothers did. Conclusion: Parents and their children did not differ in their view on the total mastery motivation of the child. This implicates that parents, children and pediatric physiotherapists can work in agreement in setting up treatment goals related to mastery motivation. However, professionals should also be aware of perceptions that could differ between parents and teens, and mothers and children on social aspects and expressive aspects of mastery motivation respectively.