Self-Determination Theory and Preventive Medication Adherence: Motivational Considerations to Support Historically Marginalized Adolescents With Asthma.

This was baseline cross-sectional survey data, so it cannot show that autonomous motivation or perceived competence caused better adherence. Adherence and motivation were self-reported, so responses may have been biased. The analysis included only adolescents who said they were taking preventive asthma medication at baseline, so it may not apply to teens not taking any preventive medication. The sample was urban and largely Black or Hispanic with public insurance, and the authors say it is unclear whether relationships persist in a less symptomatic or more diverse sample. The study did not assess relatedness, which the authors note may matter for adolescents managing asthma. The study tested associations, not an intervention, so it cannot show what clinicians should do to improve adherence.

The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that building autonomous motivation and perceived competence will improve asthma medication adherence. This was a cross-sectional self-report analysis, so it shows associations at one time point and cannot show that either factor causes better adherence.