Anders Farholm

• Bentzen, Marte & Farholm, Anders (2025). Helserelatert atferdsendring blant personer med psykiske lidelser sett i lys av selvbestemmelsesteorien. In Halvari, Halgeir & Olafsen, Anja Hagen (Ed.), Motivasjon i fokus: Selvbestemmelsesteorien i teori og praksis. Cappelen Damm Akademisk. ISSN 9788202832643. p. 191–231. doi: 10.23865/cdf.236.ch8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Individuals with mental illness display an unhealthier lifestyle compared with the general population. Motivation has been highlighted as a central aspect when promoting a healthier lifestyle in this population. This chapter will provide an overview of the most recent research within self-determination theory (SDT) and health-related behavior change among people with mental illness. Based on the current research practical implications on how to facilitate a healthy lifestyle change will be presented. Systematic searches in four databases were conducted in cooperation with a university-librarian. Studies were eligible if they included participants with mental illness, examined health-behavior, applied SDT-constructs, and were conducted in the last 15 years. The majority of the 22 included studies were quantitative (k=21) and approximately half of those were cross-sectional (k=11). However, eight studies included an intervention, and of those, three were randomized controlled trials. Almost all studies (k=21) examined some sort of physical activity, but there was great variation in how physical activity was assessed. Seventeen of the studies measured motivational regulations, while only five included assessments of basic psychological needs. The most common practical suggestion was that healthcare practitioners should emphasize creating a need-supportive environment in order to facilitate autonomous motivation for healthy lifestyle change. However, much of the advice of creating a need-supportive environment was general in its descriptions and only a few took into account the specific setting of mental health care. Future studies should to a greater extent focus on process-evaluations on how to implement need-supportive environments.

• Husebye, Birgitte Nordahl; Farholm, Anders & Tangen, Steffen (2024). En planleggingsmodell for et helhetlig kroppsøvingsfag. In Røynesdal, Øystein & Thorjussen, Ingfrid M. (Ed.), Kroppsøving i praksis: læreplanbegreper, klasseledelse og undervisningsmetode. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215063744. p. 25–42. Full text in Research Archive
• Bentzen, Marte; Farholm, Anders; Ivarsson, Andreas & Sørensen, Marit (2021). Longitudinal relations between needs satisfaction and physical activity among psychiatric patients with dual diagnoses. Advances in mental health. ISSN 1838-7357. 20(3), p. 218–231. doi: 10.1080/18387357.2021.1949360. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: Studies including people with severe mental illness (SMI) have reported beneficial effects from physical activity (PA) on psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and global functioning. However, it is important to be regularly physically active to obtain these effects. Using the motivational lens of self-determination theory, the aim of the current study was to explore the dynamic interplay between satisfaction of psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) in PA and the patients’ weekly PA level. Methods: The study had a longitudinal design, following 10 in-patients with dual diagnoses (SMI and addiction) over 12 weeks at a psychiatric ward offering physical activity as part of treatment. Data were collected 14 times with a questionnaire measuring psychological need satisfaction, while an accelerometer was used to objectively count steps to reflect participants average PA-level each week. To analyse the week-to-week relationships between the basic psychological needs and PA-level, the Bayesian dynamic p-technique analysis was used to explore both cross-sectional-, autoregressive- as well as cross-lagged effects between the constructs. Results: The results indicated credible and strong positive autoregressive effects for all three psychological needs as well as for PA-level, and positive credible cross-sectional associations between all three psychological needs and PA-level. However, the cross-lagged effects were small and not credible for all three psychological needs in relation to PA-level. Conclusions: In total, these results support the established positive relation between basic psychological need satisfaction and PA-level yet failed in finding any predictive effects between need satisfaction and PA-level.

• Sørensen, Marit; Roberts, Glyn & Farholm, Anders (2021). Motivational climate in the home: Implications for physical activity, psychosocial outcomes and family relations. International Journal of Sport Psychology. ISSN 0047-0767. 52(1), p. 71–89. doi: 10.7352/IJSP.2021.52.071. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The impact of motivational climate created by coaches/teachers on children is well documented. There is little knowledge about the motivational climate in the home. This study investigated the perceived motivational climate in the home and achievement goals, physical activity involvement, and psychosocial outcomes such as empathy, family relationships, school grades, general mastery and psychological problems for 15-16 year old adolescents. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaires in a cross-sectional design. Participants were 1940 boys and 1871 girls. Gender differences necessitated separate analyses, but for both genders, mastery climate was indirectly, positively related to physical activity, mastery, empathy, family relations, and school grades via task orientation. The home climate had a direct relationship with the achievement orientation of the children and the orientation of the child had gender specific relationships to physical activity, family relationships and general mastery. Conclusion: A home mastery climate is associated with more adaptive outcomes.

• Sørensen, Marit; Bentzen, Marte & Farholm, Anders (2021). Motivational physical activity intervention for psychiatric inpatients: A two phased single-cases experimental study. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity. 14(2). doi: 10.5507/euj.2021.008. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Physical inactivity has been identified among leading risk factors for global mortality as well as an independent risk factor for several somatic diseases. There is consistent evidence that individuals with mental illness engage in little physical activity. Therefore, this study investigated associations between a motivational physical activity intervention in treatment for psychiatric inpatients and change in; 1) physical activity level measured by accelerometer, 2) motivation for physical activity, and 3) affect and perceived functional health status. The design was a longitudinal, two-phased multiple single-cases experiment. Seven individuals completed a baseline period and an eight-week physical activity program. The participants had high autonomous motivation and mostly positive, but mixed profiles of development. Four participants showed favourable development profiles for physical activity, one no change, and two reduced physical activity. For positive and negative affect, five had a favourable development, one no change, and one unfavourable. For health status, six had a favourable development, one no change. The intervention was feasible as part of treatment. The physical activity results reflected different physical activity histories. This highlights the importance of individualising physical activity programs in psychiatric treatment, and the use of person centered research methods that can reveal such differences.

• Sørensen, Marit; Bentzen, Marte & Farholm, Anders (2020). Lessons Learned From a Physical Activity Intervention in Psychiatric Treatment: Patient, Staff, and Leader Perspectives. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 11. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00087. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: To explore how the implementation of a motivational physical activity (PA) intervention for inpatients with severe mental illness was experienced by patients, staff, and leaders at a psychiatric institution. Method: After the intervention individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients (n = 6) and staff (n = 6), and a focus group interview was conducted with the leaders (n = 4). Results: All had a positive view on PA as part of psychiatric treatment, thinking it would benefit the patients' health. There were some differences among the groups as to the importance of PA relative to traditional treatments. Positive outcomes were reported from all three groups, but with different foci. The patients and the staff underscored the importance of PA professionals in order to achieve high quality activities, whereas the leaders, due to restraints in resources, could not prioritize to hire PA professionals. Conclusion: PA was considered a positive part of treatment. Ideas about what it takes to obtain the potential physical, mental, and social benefits of PA differed between patients, the staff involved, and the leaders. Having staff with PA as a primary responsibility and with sufficient competence as PA instructors seems to be important.

• Farholm, Anders; Sørensen, Marit; Halvari, Hallgeir & Hynnekleiv, Torfinn (2017). Associations between physical activity and motivation, competence, functioning, and apathy in inhabitants with mental illness from a rural municipality: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry. 17:359, p. 1–11. doi: 10.1186/s12888-017-1528-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: There is increasing evidence for physical activity (PA) having a positive impact on physical and mental health as well as illness symptoms in individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). However, individuals with SMI experience several barriers that makes it difficult to take advantage of the benefits associated with PA. One barrier consistently reported to impede PA is motivational issues. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to examine associations between PA and motivation for PA, perceived competence for PA, functioning, apathy, and demographic variables among individuals with SMI. This was conducted within a larger study aiming at including all inhabitants with SMI in one particular small, rural municipality. Method: A total of 106 participants were recruited to the study. Questionnaire-based interviews conducted by two mental health nurses assessed self-reported PA, motivation and competence for PA, functioning, and apathy. Additionally, 71 participants accepted to wear an accelerometer-equipped wristwatch yielding an objective assessment of PA. Results: The participants engaged in little PA. However, they did not lack motivation, as over 90% stated that they would like to be more active, and participants across PA level displayed high scores of a motivation reflecting that they valued the benefits of PA. Results showed that higher self-reported PA level was associated with higher levels of integrated regulated motivation and perceived competence for PA while it was unrelated to functioning and apathy. In the subpopulation with objectively measured PA, integrated regulated motivation for PA remained significantly associated with PA level, whereas poor scores on functioning lowered the odds ratio for higher PA level. Conclusion: The results show that PA specific motivation is associated with PA even when controlling for functioning and apathy. This highlight the importance of facilitating context specific motivation (i.e., motivation for PA) and that health care practitioners should emphasise helping people with SMI develop more intrinsic forms of motivation.

• Farholm, Anders; Sørensen, Marit & Halvari, Hallgeir (2017). Motivational factors associated with physical activity and quality of life in people with severe mental illness. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. ISSN 0283-9318. 31(4), p. 914–921. doi: 10.1111/scs.12413. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There has been increasing interest for investigating the role of motivation in physical activity among people with severe mental illness (SMI). Autonomous motivation has been suggested to have a potentially important role in adoption and maintenance of physical activity. However, the knowledge about factors that facilitate autonomous motivation among people with SMI is scarce. Aim The aim of this study was to examine factors associated with motivation for physical activity as well as the relationships between motivation, physical activity and health-related quality of life in individuals with SMI that were currently physically active. Methods A cross-sectional design was used, and 88 participants were recruited from a public health network promoting physical activity for people with SMI. They answered a questionnaire package consisting of scales measuring psychological need support – psychological need satisfaction – and motivation for physical activity, physical activity and health-related quality of life. Results The majority of participants reported to be in regular physical activity. Associations between variables were tested according to the self-determination theory process model. Structural equation modelling yielded good fit of the process model to the data. Specifically, a need-supportive environment was positively associated with psychological need satisfaction, while psychological need satisfaction was positively associated with autonomous motivation and mental health-related quality of life, and negatively associated with controlled motivation and amotivation. Physical activity was positively associated with autonomous motivation and physical health-related quality of life, and negatively associated with amotivation. Conclusion This study indicates that individuals with SMI can be regularly physically active when provided with suitable opportunities. Furthermore, the present results suggest that it is vital for health-care practitioners to emphasise creating a need-supportive environment when organising physical activity because such an environment is associated with both increased autonomous motivation for physical activity and mental health-related quality of life.

• Farholm, Anders; Halvari, Hallgeir; Niemiec, Christopher P.; Williams, Geoffrey C. & Deci, Edward (2017). Changes in return to work among patients in vocational rehabilitation: a self-determination theory perspective. Disability and Rehabilitation. ISSN 0963-8288. 39(20), p. 2039–2046. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1215559. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Purpose: The aim of the current study was to examine whether patient perceptions of autonomy support from the treatment team in a vocational rehabilitation program will be associated with change (increase) in need satisfaction, autonomous motivation, perceived competence, well-being, physical activity, and return to work (RTW), and whether the self-determination theory (SDT) Model of Health Behavior will provide adequate fit to the data. Method: A total of 90 participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study and completed measures at four time points over 15 months. Results: Participants reported increases in all variables, and in general these changes were maintained at six weeks post-rehabilitation and at 15 months post-baseline. As well, the SDT Model of Health Behavior provided adequate fit to the data. Conclusions: These results underscore the importance of health care practitioners’ providing support for their patients’ autonomy, competence, and relatedness to improve well-being, physical activity, and RTW in the context of vocational rehabilitation.

• Farholm, Anders & Sørensen, Marit (2016). Motivation for physical activity and exercise in severe mental illness: A systematic review of cross-sectional studies. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 1445-8330. 25(2), p. 116–126. doi: 10.1111/inm.12217. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) are less physically active than the general population. One important barrier contributing to this inactivity is lack of motivation. The aim of this paper is to systematically review all cross-sectional literature on motivation for physical activity among people with SMI and to use the results as basis for guidance on how mental health nurses can facilitate motivation for physical activity. Systematic searches of seven databases were conducted fromdatabase inception to February 2015. Studies were eligible if they included participants with SMI and reported data on motivation for physical activity. In total, 21 articles were included and over half them were published in 2011 or later. The present results indicate preliminary evidence of how the motivational processes do not differ between individuals with SMI and the general population, and that they are independent of diagnosis, medication, age, gender, and body mass index. Results from the current systematic review can give some tentative guidance on how to facilitate motivation for physical activity within mental health-care. However, there is still a great need for developing and examining practical strategies that can enhance adoption and adherence of physical activity among people with SMI.

• Farholm, Anders & Sørensen, Marit (2016). Motivation for physical activity and exercise in severe mental illness: A systematic review of intervention studies. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. ISSN 1445-8330. 25(3), p. 194–205. doi: 10.1111/inm.12214. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There has been increasing interest for research on motivation for physical activity (PA) and exercise among individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). The aim of this systematic review is to summarize findings from all intervention studies on PA or exercise that either include empirical data on motivational constructs or apply motivational techniques/theories in their intervention. Systematic searches of seven databases were conducted from database inception to February 2015. Studies were eligible if they: (i) included participants with SMI, (ii) had PA as part of the intervention, and (iii) reported empirical data onmotivational constructs related to PA or incorporated motivational techniques/theory in their intervention. Of the 79 studies that met the inclusion criteria only one had motivation for PA as its main outcome. Nine additional interventions reported empirical data on motivational constructs. Altogether these studies yielded mixed results with respect to change in motivational constructs. Only one of those examined the association between motivation and PA, but found none. Sixty-four studies reported using motivational techniques/theory in their intervention. Motivational interviewing and goal-setting were the most popular techniques. Due to the exploratory nature of most of these studies, findings from intervention studies do not so far give very clear directions for motivational work with the patients. There is an urgent need for a more systematic theory based approach when developing strategies that target to increase engagement in PA among people with SMI.

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• Jensen, Magne Skibsted & Farholm, Anders (2024). Use of Self-regulated Study Strategies Among University Students with Dyslexia during the Corona Pandemic. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Use of Self-regulated Study Strategies Among University Students with Dyslexia During the Corona Pandemic Keywords: Dyslexia, Student Teachers, Self-regulated study strategies, Corona Pandemic Magne Skibsted Jensen, Anders Farholm Østfold University College Presenting Author: Skibsted Jensen, Magne; Farholm, Anders Proposal information Our aim is to investigate the use of self-regulated study strategies among university students with dyslexia during the corona pandemic 2020-2021. We focus on the student´s´use of self-regulated study strategies in two different study contexts in higher education; traditional campus learning and digital distance learning. Our research question is: To what extent did university students with dyslexia use self-regulated study strategies during the corona pandemic? Theoretical framework Dyslexia is per definition a specific learning disability that is characterized by difficulties with word recognition, reading and spelling, that can persist into adulthood (Lyon, Shaywich & Shaywich, 2003). Self-regulated study strategies are goal-directed cognitive processes and behavioral actions characterizing successful studying in specific contexts (Zimmerman, 1989). More students with dyslexia are enrolled in higher education (O´Byrne et al., 2019). To overcome the challenges, self-regulation and strategic learning are supposed to be required (Andreassen et al., 2017). Research shows that students with dyslexia in higher education are a heterogeneous group in terms of how much they still struggle with basic reading and spelling skills (Andreassen et.al., 2017; Jensen & Andreassen, 2017; Pedersen et al., 2016; Fink, 1998). Research also shows that these students often seem to rely on certain compensational key strategies of visual, auditory, and social kind (Andreassen et.al., 2017; Jensen & Andreassen, 2017). A small range og study strategies among students might indicate that study strategies are not well known, or that the students have had few opportunities to experience study strategies in different study contexts in higher education. Methodology, Methods, Research Instruments or Sources Used Methodology We use a mixed method approach (Creswell, 2014). A questionnaire, recording students’ strategy use in the two study environments, traditional campus learning and digital distance learning. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the strategy use, we conduct semi-structured interviews with four of the informants. Two informants with a low extent of study strategies and two informants with a large extent of study strategies. Conclusions, Expected Outcomes or Findings Findings Preliminary findings from the questionnaire data (n = 25) indicate that the university students apply less learning strategies in a digital environment compared with the traditional campus learning environment. Four participants were identified applying a small extent of study strategies while six were identified using a large extent of study strategies. Regarding the follow up interview, our hypothesis based on the qualitative data, are that use of self-regulated study strategies is a question of "less is more". Meaning that a range of few key strategies seem to be more important and beneficial to use than employing a lot of different study strategies. References References Andreassen, R., Jensen, M. S., & Bråten, I. (2017). Investigating self-regulated study strategies among postsecondary students with and without dyslexia: A diary method study. Reading and Writing: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 30(9), 1891-1916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11145-017-9758-9 Fink, R. P. (1998). Literacy development in successful men and women with dyslexia. Annals of Dyslexia, 48, 311–336. doi:10.1007/s11881-998-0014-5. Jensen, M. S. & Andreassen, R. (2017). S

• Farholm, Anders & Jensen, Magne Skibsted (2023). University students with dyslexia and their use of self-regulated study strategies and perceived self-efficacy during the corona pandemic. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2022). Presentation of the research group 'liberated learning'. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2022). Trening som behandling mot depresjon. [Internet]. NIH-podden. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2022). Hvordan motivere for fysisk aktivitet. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2022). Psykososiale konsekvenser trening og helse. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2021). Motivasjon og fysisk aktivitet for å fremme god psykisk helse. Full text in Research Archive
• Sveen, Ole; Farholm, Anders; Holte, Kjersti E. Lien & Oseland, Harald (2019). Motivation, physical fitness, and vitality in 5th grade pupils taking part in physical activity classes organized by a local sport team. Full text in Research Archive
• Bentzen, Marte; Farholm, Anders; Ivarsson, Andreas & Sørensen, Marit (2018). Longitudinal Relations between Needs Satisfaction and Physical Activity among Patients with Dual Diagnosis of Severe Mental Illness and Addiction. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2018). Motivasjon og fysisk aktivitet for personer med psykiske helseutfordringer: Hvordan kan fagfolk bli gode til å motivere og få i gang fysisk aktivitet? Full text in Research Archive
• Bentzen, Marte; Farholm, Anders & Sørensen, Marit (2017). Lessons learned from a physical activity intervention study in psychiatric treatment: Perspectives from patients, staff, and leaders. Full text in Research Archive
• Sørensen, Marit; Bentzen, Marte; Farholm, Anders & Loukova, Tereza (2016). Physical Activity as Part of Psychiatric Treatment: Construction of a motivational intervention. Full text in Research Archive
• Farholm, Anders (2017). Motivation and physical activity in individuals with severe mental illness. Norges idrettshøgskole. ISSN 9788250205383. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Paper I: Farholm, A., Sørensen, M. (2016). Motivation for physical activity and exercise in severe mental illness: A systematic review of intervention studies. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 25, 194-205.

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