Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Daniela Gottschlich ¹
• Mehdi Rostami ²
• Roodi Hooshmandi ³
• Jiantang Yang ^{4, 5}
• Parichehr Mehdiabadi ⁶

¹ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada

² Department of Psychology and Counseling, KMAN Research Institute, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

³ School of Health Studies Department, Western University, Ontario, Canada

⁴ Rehabilitation Department, York Rehab Clinic, Toronto, Canada

⁵ Department of Psychology, Coventry University London–University House, UK

⁶ M.A, School of Psychology, University of East London, UK

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between cognitive load, positive affect, and health motivation among Iranian residents living in Ontario, Canada. This descriptive-correlational study included 220 participants recruited from Richmond Hill, Ontario using convenience sampling method. Participants were Iranian residents aged 18 years or older. Data collection took place from January to April 2024. Health motivation was assessed using the Health Motivation Scale (HMS), cognitive load was measured with the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and positive affect was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses performed in SPSS-27. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between cognitive load and health motivation (r = -0.32, p < 0.01) and a significant positive correlation between positive affect and health motivation (r = 0.45, p < 0.01). The regression model was significant (F(2, 217) = 61.52, p < 0.001), explaining 36% of the variance in health motivation (R² = 0.36). Positive affect (B = 0.58, β = 0.42, t = 6.44, p < 0.01) and cognitive load (B = -0.21, β = -0.25, t = -3.00, p < 0.01) both significantly predicted health motivation.

Keywords

• Health motivation
• cognitive load
• positive affect
• Ontario’s Iranian