Characteristics of Exercise Behavior among College Students: Application of Social Cognitive Theory to Predicting Stage of Change

doi:10.1006/pmed.2000.0736

Preventive Medicine

Volume 31, Issue 5, November 2000, Pages 494-505

https://doi.org/10.1006/pmed.2000.0736 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background. Young adulthood is characterized by a steep decline in the level of physical activity, but few theory-based studies have examined characteristics associated with regular exercise in this population. This study applied Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Stages of Change Model (SCM) to determine personal, behavioral, and environmental characteristics associated with exercise behavior and intentions among undergraduate university students.

Methods. A random sample of 937 undergraduate students (mean age 22.0 ± 5.6 years; 84.7% ages 17–24 years) enrolled at a large Midwestern university completed a mailed questionnaire. Valid and reliable instruments were used to measure personal, behavioral, and environmental variables based on the SCT that were hypothesized to influence stage of exercise behavior change. Multivariate discriminant analysis was used to determine associations among these variables with stage of exercise behavior change.

Results. Exercise self-efficacy, physical activity history, and nonexercise estimation of aerobic capacity were significant predictors of the stage of exercise behavior change for both males and females. Among females, exercise self-efficacy (P < 0.001) and family social support (P < 0.001) for physical activity were the best predictors of stage of exercise behavior change. Friend social support (P < 0.001), physical activity history (P < 0.001), and exercise self-efficacy (P < 0.001) were significant predictors of stage of exercise behavior change among males.

Conclusions. The SCT framework predicted stage of exercise behavior change as defined by the SCM. Exercise self-efficacy was associated with exercise stage, but the source of significant social support (family versus friends) was different for males and females.

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Citation Excerpt :
Additionally, self-efficacy also mediated the positive effect of sharing posts on physical activity. This suggests that specific features of existing social networking platforms may play a role in an individual’s beliefs pertaining to their ability to perform physical activity (self-efficacy), and the personal value one places on the outcomes of physical activity (identified regulation), both of which, are consistently shown to be strong predictors of sustained engagement in physical activity (Ingledew & Markland, 2008; McAuley, 1992; Sallis et al., 1992; Teixeira et al., 2012; Wallace et al., 2000). It is also important to note that research suggests that social support is a precursor to self-efficacy (Anderson et al., 2010).
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An online cross-sectional survey assessed physical activity, use of commercial physical activity apps (and their associated social components), and psychological constructs (social support, self-efficacy, motivation, trait competitiveness, trait social comparison).
1274 adults aged 18–83 years (M_age = 34.1 ± 13.5 years, 87.6% female) participated. App use was positively associated with physical activity engagement. The relationship between app use and physical activity was fully mediated by social support, self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation and identified regulation. Trait competitiveness, but not trait social comparison, moderated the relationship between app use and physical activity. Most features (e.g., sharing posts, providing or receiving encouragement) of the social components of apps were positively associated with psychological constructs linked to engagement in physical activity. Mediation pathways linking features of existing social networking platforms with physical activity were found. Specifically, sharing posts was linked to higher engagement in physical activity via positive associations with self-efficacy, and receiving encouragement with linked to higher engagement in physical activity via positive associations with both self-efficacy and identified regulation. In addition, engagement in comparisons was associated with lower self-efficacy and higher external regulation, and in turn, lower physical activity.
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^☆: This research is part of Lorraine Wallace's doctoral dissertation directed by Janet Buckworth. The authors acknowledge the contribution of Mohammed Atiq Rahman, Ph.D., for providing statistical assistance with this research project. We thank the reviewers for their useful comments.

^☆☆: This study was funded by the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, Ohio State University.

¹: To whom reprint requests should be addressed at the Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75799. E-mail: [email protected].

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Regular ArticleCharacteristics of Exercise Behavior among College Students: Application of Social Cognitive Theory to Predicting Stage of Change☆,☆☆

Abstract

Am J Prev Med

Prev Med

J Adolesc Health

Prev Med

Increasing physical activity: a quantitative synthesis

Med Sci Sports Exerc

JAMA

Physical activity and public health

JAMA

Predicting and changing exercise and physical activity: what's practical and what's not

The descriptive epidemiology of leisure-time physical activity

Public Health Rep

Results from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey

J Am Coll Health

Inactive Australian college students' preferred activities, sources of assistance, and motivators

Am J Health Promot

The measurement conundrum in exercise adherence research

Med Sci Sports Exerc

Determinants of physical activity: research to application

How individuals, environments, and health behaviors interact

Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: towards an integrative model of change

J Consult Clin Psychol

Social cognitive models of health and exercise behavior: an introduction and review of conceptual issues

J Appl Sport Psychol

Evidence for the validity and reliability of the stages of exercise behaviour change scale in young adults

Health Educ Res

Regular Article
Characteristics of Exercise Behavior among College Students: Application of Social Cognitive Theory to Predicting Stage of Change☆,☆☆