Incorporating trait, domain, and state-layers into motivational design in sports: a multilayer perspective on motivation

Birnstiel S, Morschheuser B (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Behaviour & Information Technology Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles / Taylor & Francis

DOI: 10.1080/0144929X.2026.2678383

Abstract

Modern society faces rising health risks due to sedentary lifestyles. Despite the prevalence of digital solutions to promote physical activity, sustainably increasing motivation to exercise remains challenging. Tailoring motivational interventions to user needs shows promise, but current approaches often rely on short-term, unstable motivational insights, overlooking enduring tendencies rooted in personality or the specific context of use. We propose that recognising the co-occurrence and interplay between unstable state-layer, context-specific domain-layer, and stable trait-layer motivational orientations can enable more lasting effects. In this study, we surveyed participants on motivations approximating three stability layers of motivation in sports and applied exploratory factor analysis, identifying four mixed-stability motivational factors: Social Esteem, Personal Growth, Community Care, Ambition, and one state-dominant factor: Independence. We further examined their variation by age, gender, and sport, revealing significant demographic differences. Our exploratory findings advance understanding of how state-, domain-, and trait-layer motivational orientations co-occur and interplay, and offer preliminary design recommendations for tailoring motivational interventions in sports contexts.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sandra Birnstiel Assistant Professorship of Information Systems (Gamification) - endowed by adidas

Involved external institutions

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg

Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Birnstiel, S., & Morschheuser, B. (2026). Incorporating trait, domain, and state-layers into motivational design in sports: a multilayer perspective on motivation. Behaviour & Information Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2026.2678383

MLA:

Birnstiel, Sandra, and Benedikt Morschheuser. "Incorporating trait, domain, and state-layers into motivational design in sports: a multilayer perspective on motivation." Behaviour & Information Technology (2026).

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